An Alternative Choice for Alternative Energy

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this experiment is to create a more reliable renewable energy source that can outperform current methods for clean energy collection. Methods/Materials Created a scale model consisting of a hydroelectric unit and a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) Unit. A stopwatch, voltmeter, and a controlled environment were used while conducting time trials on the scale model. A controlled amount of water and a controlled wind speed were used when testing each individual unit. Results After multiple trials on the scale model, it was determined that the overall model could outperform each individual unit. While each unit was able to perform in a 5% range efficiency to the hypothesis, the overall unit was able to perform more reliably and therefore had a higher efficiency. The efficiency of the overall model depended on how well each unit performed with the other. Each unit cooperated with the other, which resulted in a greater efficiency than expected. Conclusions/Discussion From multiple trials, it was evident that combining renewable energy sources can result in higher efficiencies of the overall model, because of the compliance of each unit. The overall scale model was able to perform at a higher efficiency than expected because the a small portion of the energy produced by the VAWT unit was used in pumping for the hydroelectric unit. Additionally, combined renewable energy sources can outperform individual sources in the power obtained and efficiency, and therefore can be used to provide energy more reliably.

Competition history

• CSEF 2018 Alternative Energy (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0217

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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