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Created with Fabric.js 1.4.5 Choices Types of VAWTs Efficiency and Cost How Windmills Work Unfortunately,accurate numbers regarding the efficiency and cost of VAWTs cannot bedetermined due to the technology being new and that they are kept secret from public. Therefore, their efficiency and cost can only be compared relative to each other.Combined Darrieus-Savonius:-smaller structure-moderately low operational costs-highest efficiency for same size compared to either Darrieus or Savonius alone-moderately high initial cost A windmill works on the principle of using the energy of the wind to cause a magnetattached to a turbine to spin. The magnet spins inside a coil of copper wire and BAM!,current, and thus electricity, is generated. There are many choices when it comes to renewable energy sources.However, when putting the geographical location of the school in account, the only really viable choices are wind power and solar power. For thepurpose of this project, we will be looking at wind power, specifically VAWTs (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine). The reason for choosing this specific method of renewable energy source will be explained later in this page. Taking a look at the efficiency and environmental impact of one specific type of renewable electricity producing method as well as ways to improve the sustainability of such a method Project: Renewable Energy @ Glenforest Power to Blade-to-Wind-Speed Ratio ^ Savonius:-low initial cost-low operational costs-low efficiencyDarrieus:-high materials cost, fragile-modersately high operational costs-higher efficiency than Savonius-often a large structure ^ Conceptualdrawing of aDarrieus-Savonius turbine.< Darrieus-Savonius turbine,Beijing 2009 Methods to Incorporate into Glenforest There are a few very plausible locations for installingeither Savonius or Darrieus-Savonius turbines:-Rooftop: A location which is easily accessible for maintenance and is unlikely to be damaged by people and stray objects-Air Duct Vents: Although less accessible than a location such as the rooftop, this location makes use of the air coming in and out of the school, which is a good bonus to efficiency-Classroom Windows: For classrooms which are on the outside perimeter of the school and have more than one window, oneof the class' windows could be converted into a location for a turbine. However, only the smaller Darrieus-Savonius turbinewould be viable since it is the quietest and most efficient There are two main types of VAWTs commonlyused and produced in the current market. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages andthat is what this section will infomr you about.The first type of VAWT is called the Savoniustype. It is a simple design based on usingdrag in order to "catch" the air and spin.The second type of VAWT is called the Darrieustype. This type is more efficient than the Savonius and uses two to three "blades" curved outwardswhich span from the top to the bottom of the entirestructure. The biggest problem with this design isthat it is unable to start using the force of the wind.In recent times, a new combined Darrieus-Savonius turbine was created. This type of windmill combines the pros of both the Darrieus and the Savonius typesof windmills. It features a smaller, more efficient system where the Savonius turbine uses excess torque in order to start the Darrieus mechanism. This method allows for a highly efficient system. ^ A Combined Darrieus-Savonius Turbine < Simple Savonius-typeturbine.> Darrieus-type turbinelocated in Quebec ^ A sideways Darrieustype turbine overhearda highway Environmental Impact As this is a renewable source of energy, the environmentalimpact of this is quite low, and is only slightly higher than hydro power. The only pollution caused by a windmill wouldbe the manufacturing of it's components, which are likely touse energy sources including coal or natural gas. However,once made, the windmill itself does not consume any energyfrom external sources and creates energy for external uses.
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