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I'm a Big Fan: Determining What Shaped Blades Most Effectively Generate Power in Wind Turbines

CSEF · 2019 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only)

Michael J. Okawa · Baechtel Grove Middle School, Willits, Mendocino County

Overview

Objectives In this project the goal was to find which of three rotor designs on a windmill worked the best and spun fastest. Faster spin means more rotations per minute to create energy more effectively. The hypothesis was that the rectangular rotor blade which has the most surface area would work the best. Methods In this experiment a small-scale model of a wind turbine was built of, with three different rotors to test on it to find which one went fastest. Results Wind was simulated at a constant speed and the approximate number of turns per minute calculated per rotor type to determine effectiveness of the blade design. Repeated trials showed that the triangular blades consistently had the highest rotations per minute. Conclusions At the control wind speed of 7.5 miles per hour triangular rotor blades are more effective at generating spin than curved or rectangular blades.

Summary statement

The experiment determined which of three differently shaped pairs of blades result in fastest spin to generate power most efficiently on wind turbines.

Help received

I built, and preformed the experiments myself based on research I had conducted online. The design was modified from one I adapted off of the website sciencebuddies.com. I was supervised and instructed by my grandmother in the use of power tools.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2019 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0117

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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