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A Small-Scale Synergistic Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine System Using Piezoelectricity

AJAS · 2026 Energy and Transport (inferred)

Ishan Kasam, Rishabh Mathukiya · and

Overview

With increasing urbanization, the feasibility of renewable energy solutions for a compact environment becomes an important area of research. VAWTs, with their compact design, omnidirectional capability, and reduced noise, hold greater potential benefits in such situations. This research involves enhancing the efficiency of small-scale VAWTs by using piezoelectric transducers and iterating upon vertical axis wind turbine geometries that leverage VIV (vortex-induced vibrations) to harness energy from wakes. Additionally, the model is designed to harness energy from rain and other environmental vibrations using piezoelectric crystals. A Darrieus H-rotor VAWT prototype was 3D-printed using PETG and tested under both controlled and field conditions along with simulations to assess the performance and electric harvesting potential. Results show that strategically placed VAWTs are capable of enhancing the downstream rotational velocities and vibrational forces, thereby improving the piezoelectric output by 15–30%. Other possible technical enhancements could be optimizing transducer placement on the turbine, refinement of the blade profiles to provide superior lift-to-drag ratios and stronger wakes, and using array configurations that maximize aerodynamic synergy. The results presented demonstrate a hybrid, small-scale energy system based on aerodynamic synergy and vibrational energy harvesting, which when used synergistically may provide a feasible pathway toward decentralized renewable energy generation in compact environments. Further work will be directed toward optimization studies on turbine design and enhancement in real-world performance, with scaling of the system for practical deployment.

Competition history

  • AJAS 2026 Category not listed

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Source: AAAS Annual Meeting (Confex) / American Junior Academy of Science

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