Highway Harvest 2.0: Optimizing Ways to Harness Renewable Energy on Highways

CWSF · 2026 Energy Bronze Medal

Jiya Savsani · Senior Division · Grades 11–13

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Overview

This project focused on many aspects of harvesting renewable energy from highways, including cars, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), cost, traffic, and solar panels. Four vehicle types (pickup, sedan, SUV, truck) were modeled in SolidWorks and tested in wind tunnel experiments with a smoke machine, followed by CFD simulations to confirm results. The optimal placement and size for the VAWT were determined through more CFD and mathematical analysis. The turbine modification was based on previous work where different hybrid VAWT models were tested to find the optimal design (Helix+Savonius); however, in that work, both turbines were fixed and moved together, but here each component was adapted to rotate independently. Once the wind power was estimated, solar potential was also analyzed, optimizing tilt angles for Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and BC. Traffic data (AADT) was also used to obtain an overall daily power estimation, which was later followed by a cost analysis.

Video

If the video does not play, watch it on the original project page.

Why?

My interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency motivated me to pursue this project, building on the ideas I explored in my previous research. Energy efficiency and research regarding renewable energy sources have always fascinated me, and my past projects have consistently followed this theme. This project focused on many aspects of harvesting renewable energy from highways, including cars, vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT), traffic, and solar panels. This research in particular was very meaningful to me since it is a culmination of my science fair journey, and especially with it being my final year, I wanted to pay homage to my hard work from the past. This project could benefit a wide range of people, particularly remote communities looking for cleaner solutions, as well as governments and engineers working toward sustainable infrastructure. By capturing energy that is typically wasted, such as wind from passing vehicles, this system has the potential to reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy sources and improve overall sustainability.

How?

One:

The models of four types of cars were developed in SolidWorks and then later 3D printed (image 1)

Physical testing was conducted in the wind tunnel using a smoke machine (image 2)

To confirm the results from the physical testing, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted.

Once the results were confirmed, the SolidWorks models were scaled up to perform another CFD analysis to assess the wind distribution.

Based on how the wind reacted around each vehicle, an optimal turbine placement and size were determined (image 3).

Two:

Last year, my research focused on finding the optimal hybrid vertical-axis wind turbine combination, and this year, I modified that model so that both turbines moved independently.

To test whether the new model was better, torque values were obtained through CFD at different attack angles (image 4)

To accurately compare the two, an F-test was conducted to find the variance, and a t-test followed.

Once it was determined that the new model was better, the power estimation was obtained using the wind speed from part one and the wind energy formula.

Three:

In past research, I found that the optimal solar-panel tilt angle in Canada was 30°.

Using that, I found the solar power production estimation in the following provinces if a 0.25 kW solar panel was used: Alberta, BC, Quebec, and Ontario.

Four:

Annual average daily traffic from highways in the four provinces was obtained through Statistics Canada.

Power produced by wind when there is no activity on the road was estimated, and the power output was acquired for this scenario.

Using all the data, the power production for the wind-solar hybrid unit (image 5) was predicted.

Five:

A cost-material analysis was conducted for two materials: aluminum and carbon fiber.

The payback period was calculated for the unit.

What?

This project focused on many aspects of harvesting renewable energy from highways. It consisted of five major phases, each one having a specific objective.

The aim for part one was to determine the optimal placement and size of the turbine.

To go about doing this, 3D models of four different car types were tested in a virtual (CFD analysis) and physical setting (with smoke in a wind tunnel), which showed similar results. Once the results were confirmed, the SolidWorks models were scaled up to perform another CFD analysis to assess the wind distribution. Based on how the wind reacted around each vehicle, an optimal Turbine placement and size were determined, and it turned out to be 0.81m away from the edge of the road and 0.8 m x 2m in size.

The aim for part two was to improve the VAWT model, and determine its theoretical power production.

My previous research focused on finding the optimal hybrid vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) combination, and this year I modified that model such that both turbines moved separately. To test whether the new model was better, torque values were obtained through CFD at different attack angles (image-1), which were then statistically compared. First, an F-test was conducted, which showed equal variance, and a t-test followed, which showed that the new model was better. Then, the power estimation was obtained using the wind speed from part one and the wind energy formula. The results were as follows (in Watt-hr): Sedan-0.0056, SUV-0.0603, Pickup-0.1001, and Truck-0.8386.

The aim of part three was to determine the solar power potential.

In past research, I found that the optimal solar-panel tilt angle in Canada was 30°. Using that, I found the daily solar power production estimation in the following provinces if a 0.25 kW solar panel was used: Alberta (1.8kWh/day), BC (1.4 kWh/day), Quebec (1.8kWh/day), and Ontario (1.7kWh/day).

The aim for part four was to determine the average daily traffic and calculate the total power production.

Annual average daily traffic from highways in the four provinces was obtained through Statistics Canada. The AADT was as follows: Ontario-230,000; Alberta-95,000; BC-85,000; Quebec-120,000. Power produced by wind when there is no activity on the road, as well as when random gusts of wind hit, was estimated. Using the AADT and all the power estimations, the overall power production was predicted. (image 2)

The aim for part five was to conduct a cost analysis and calculate the payback period for the wind-solar hybrid units.

A cost-material analysis was conducted using two materials: aluminum and carbon fiber. It was found that the carbon fiber not only costs less to manufacture, but it also has lower inertia, making it more efficient. The overall payback period was calculated for the unit, which showed that the wind-solar hybrid unit with a carbon fibre turbine had a lower payback period (~12 years) compared to the aluminium (~15 years).

So What?

In the original project, the results showed that combining wind and solar power has great potential. This project aimed to further investigate the concept of harnessing and optimizing power from highways, and the results were promising. Implementing these systems worldwide would revolutionize the world of energy production, allowing us to take a step towards creating a sustainable world. Although the calculations showed that wind appears to produce more power in comparison to solar, the addition of the extra energy source allows for a shorter payback period, making the concept financially achievable. In addition to the cost benefits, the wind and solar power complement each other, such that they make up for what the other is unable to perform. Putting these systems along highways could make them easier to reach and expand, setting an example for building eco-friendly infrastructure everywhere. Not only can these systems be hooked directly to the grid, but they can also be used to store energy for emergencies or be used to power remote communities. Canada and the U.S. experienced the largest power blackout in the history of North America in 2003, and in case a similar event occurs, the units can be used as a backup. Additionally, Canada has around 280 remote communities, most of which are not connected to the electrical grid, that could use this additional source. Overall, the concept has a lot of potential and could lead us to a future where we have reliable energy sources and ensure sustainability.

What's Next?

Most of this project relied on simulation-based analyses; however, with more time and resources, conducting additional physical trials would further validate the results. More specifically, I would have liked to test the independently moving hybrid turbine model against the fixed turbines to assess whether theoretical predictions were accurate.

This project also examined the power output and potential of turbines when placed alongside the road (see image 1). It would be valuable to model and test how the turbine performs when placed between two lanes (see image 2) to determine whether this placement is more or less efficient.

Thanks

I would like to extend my thanks to the following people for their help and support:

My Parents: without their patience, support, and guidance, this project would not have been possible.

Aidan Leach - for helping me prepare for CWSF by keeping me on track, providing feedback, and making sure I met all the deadlines.

Mr. Yacoback: his teachings and endless encouragement gave me the confidence to keep participating in science fairs.

Mrs. Peterson: for standing by my side as my personal cheerleader for all of my projects, and for being my biggest supporter.

References

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Hawk Ridge Systems. (2019, July 17). Wind Loading Analysis with SOLIDWORKS Simulation and Flow Simulation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-u9n6pPd78

NREL. (2019). PVWatts Calculator. Nrel.gov. https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php

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Canada, Natural Resources. “About Renewable Energy.” Natural Resources Canada, / Gouvernement du Canada, 17 Apr. 2024, natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/renewable-energy/about-renewable-energy-canada/7295

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Abhishiktha Tummala a , Ratna Kishore Velamati a , Dipankur Kumar Sinha B , V. Indraja C , V. Hari Krishna D. (2015). A review on small scale wind turbines. In https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032115014100

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Government of Canada, Canada Energy Regulator. (2026, March 23). CER – Market Snapshot: Overcoming the challenges of powering Canada’s off-grid communities. https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/market-snapshots/2018/market-snapshot-overcoming-challenges-powering-canadas-off-grid-communities.html#:~:text=Over%20280%20communities%20in%20Canada,%C2%A9%202026%20Mapbox%C2%A9%20OpenStreetMap

Highway Harvest: Determining efficient ways to harness renewable energy on highways. (n.d.). Youth Science Canada. https://partner.projectboard.world/ysc/project/highway-harvest-determining-efficient-ways-to-harness-renewable-energy-on-highways

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