Power Generation by Maglev Based

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract: The main aim of the paper is to design a windmill The basic working principle of a wind turbine is: When air
that operates without ball bearings and to get maximum power moves quickly, in the form of wind, and their kinetic
output. The use of wind energy for energy generation is one of energy is captured by the turbine blades. The blades start
the oldest methods for harnessing renewable energy. Use of
to rotate and spin a shaft that leads from the hub of the
renewable energy is an essential ingredient of socio-economic
development and economic growth. A vertical axis wind turbine
rotor to a generator and produce electricity. In general,
(VAWT) is introduced by magnetic levitation technology to they are two types of wind turbine according to the axis
optimize the performance. The system utilizes the nature of they are rotating about. Horizontal axis wind turbine is the
permanent magnet as a replacement for ball bearings to levitate type of wind turbine which has a main rotor shaft and a
the turbine component and thus minimize energy losses while electric generator at the top of tower and pointed to the
rotating, which is the major problem that furthermore, the direction of wind. Most of them possess a gear box which
system can be suited by conventional wind turbine. The Maglev turns the slow rotation of turbine blades into faster rotation
Wind Turbine is expected to bring wind power technology to the that is more suitable to drive an electrical generator. The
next level. Furthermore, the system can be suited in use for more
main rotor shaft is arranged vertically to allow the turbine
rural and urban areas of low-speed regions. The selection of
magnet materials in the design of wind turbine system will be blades rotate without facing to the direction of the wind. In
discussed. this system, the generator and gearbox is placed in the
Key words: VAWT, Magnetic Levitation, Wind Turbine, Blade ground rather than on the top. There is no need of the
hub, Magnet. support from a tower make it more accessible for
maintenance.
I. INTRODUCTION C. Magnetic Levitation:
Magnetic levitation is a method in which an object is
The maglev power generation introduces structure and suspended with no support other than magnetic fields. The
principle of the proposed magnetic levitation wind turbine magnetic force produced is used to counteract the effects
for better utilization of wind energy. Maglev wind turbine of gravitational force and lift up the object. By placing
has the features of no mechanical contact, no friction etc., these two magnets on top of each other with like polarities
minimizing the damping in the magnetic levitation wind facing each other, the magnetic repulsion will be strong
turbine, which enables the wind turbine to start up with low- enough to keep both the magnets at a distance away from
speed wind and work with breeze. Magnetic levitation each other. There are many advantages for utilizing
(Maglev) is integrated into the turbine system in order to magnetic levitation that is to minimize friction, make force
increase the efficiency. If the efficiency of the wind turbine measurement, design, and entertaining devices. Recently,
is increased, then more power is generated thus decreasing this advance technology is applied into transportation
the need for expensive power generators that cause system in which non-conducting vehicle travel safely at
pollution. very high speed while suspended, guided, and propelled
above a guide way by magnetic fields. The concept of
A. Wind Energy: magnetically levitated vehicle stimulated the development
Wind is known to be another form of solar energy because it of useful application in various fields such as power
comes about as a result of uneven heating of the atmosphere generation.
by the sun coupled with the abstract topography of the D. Maglev Wind Turbine:
earth’s surface. With wind turbines, two categories of winds The vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are
are relevant to their applications, namely local winds and suspended in the air above the base of the machine by
planetary winds. The latter is the most dominant and it is using permanent magnet which produces magnetic force to
usually a major factor in deciding sites for very effective lift up the blades.
wind turbines. There are some reasons to support in using
the wind energy to produce electricity power.
Wind power available in the atmosphere is much
greater than the current world energy consumption.
The exploitation of wind power is only limited by the
economic and environmental factors, since the resource
available is far larger than any practical means to
develop it. Renewable energy produced from the wind
has attracted a lot of attention and support in recent
years. However, this green energy is often criticized for
its low output and lack of reliability.

B. Wind Turbine:
This system does not require the electricity to operate
because no electromagnets are involved. Since the turbine
blades are suspended by magnetic force produce by the
permanent magnet, there is no need of ball bearing to retain
the blades. This allows the friction between the blades and
the ball bearing can be reduced significantly and thus,
minimizes the energy loss. This also helps reduce
maintenance costs and increases the life span of the
generator.

II. METHODOLOGY Fig.2. Block diagram of maglev wind turbine

 Selecting a suitable magnet for strong repulsive force IV. DESIGN AND FABRICATION
and suitable materials for rotor blades.
For CAD drawing we used the software Solid Edge, each
 Appropriate materials are selected for components and and every component was individually drawn on the part
are used at right areas. drawing and then it was assembled in the assembly sheet.
 Getting the prototype done and testing it.
 Fabrication of the maglev wind turbine.
 Testing of the working model of maglev wind turbine
 If any errors are found or result is not satisfactory then
examining the model and suggest the suitable changes
in design or wherever it is necessary.
 Getting the final model after the corrections
 Installation of model at the right place.

III. WORKING PRINCIPLE

Fig. 3. Parts label of maglev wind turbine, 2D drawing

Fig.4. Isometric view of maglev wind turbine, 3D

drawing
Parts used in Maglev Turbine
1. Fixed Pole

Fig.1. Sketch and components of maglev wind turbine

This is the general schematic diagram of magnetic levitation

vertical axis wind turbine by which the power is generated
by using Faraday’s 1st law of induction which states that
“Wherever a conductor are placed in a varying magnetic
field, emf are induced which is called induced emf, if the
conductor circuit are closed, current are also induced which
is called induced current.” The wind energy rotates the wind
turbine blades which are fixed to disc and to which magnets
are fixed and magnetic flux of these magnets links with the
coil which is placed on the base of the maglev wind mill.
The following block diagram shows how the current
is generated. Fig.5. Fixed pole
This part is made up of mild steel and it is cylindrical rod 5. Fixed Base
like structure. This is mounted on the base perpendicularly, Base is made up of mild steel. It is circular in shape. This
and to which rotor plates and blades are attached to it. Nd- is the area where whole mass is supported, if this is stable
Fe-B magnets are suspended on this pole which gives and strong the entire model will be in balance. Weight of
magnetic cushioning to the rotor component the base is bit high compared to other parts.
Dimensions: Diameter - 12mm Height - 800 mm Dimensions: Diameter – 400 mm, Thickness – 4 mm

2. Neodymium Magnets
It is a permanent magnet. It is also called Nd-Fe-B magnets.
Two types of magnets are necessary, one is circular in shape
and another is ring in shape. Ring shape magnets are used in
suspension and circular shape magnets are used for power
generation. Ring shape magnets have 25 mm outer diameter
and 12mm inner diameter and 6mm thickness.
Circular shape magnets have 18mm diameter and
2mm thickness.
Fig.9 Base
6.Generator
Electric generator work on the principle of electromagnetic
Induction. A conductor coil is rotated rapidly between the
Poles of a horseshoe type magnet. When the coil rotates, it
Cuts the magnetic field which lies between the two poles
of the magnet.
3. Rotor Plates
Fig. 6 Ring shape and Circular shape neodymium This is made up of acrylic
magnet sheet. It is also circular in
shape and it is placed above
the suspension magnet and
blades are clamped to it.
Acrylic sheet is used here
because of its transparency
nature; therefore magnets
can be seen clearly as the Fig.10 Generator
magnets are attached at the
base of the rotor plates both V. RESULT AND
for the cushioning and power Fiel DISCUSSION
generation purpose. d
Dimensions: Diameter - Test
350mm, Thickness - 6 mm :

Fig. 8 Rotor Blades

Fig. 7 Acrylic
Circular Sheet

4. Rotor Blades
This is made up of mild steel
pressed into sheet metal.
Four blades are used in this
model. These are clamped to
the rotor base. Blades are cut
in rectangular shape.
Dimensions:
Width - 170mm, Height -
620mm, Thickness - 0.5mm
 Aerodynamic Analysis of Dimple effect on Airfoil
After the
fabrication, the
model was taken to
conduct the
experiments at the
outdoor. The
experiments are as
follows,
Experiment 1
 The first
experiment is
to check the
voltage, mV
for different
wind speed,
m/s and to
tabulate
those
readings.
Table 1
Experim
ent 1
Sl no Wind speed, m/s
1. 2.778
2. 5.55
3. 8.33
4. 11.11
The graph for the
above readings is
plotted below as
shown in the below
figure where the
voltage is plotted in
Y-axis and Wind
speed in X-axis.
 We know that generally,
Voltage v/s Wind Power P=V*I
Where, speed
15
P is the power, V is the voltage in mV, I is the current12.1
in mA.
From the graph, take V=5.5 mV and I=0.09 mA
Voltage, mV

7.8 9.2
10
P=5.5*10-3 * (0.09*10-3)
5.5
5
P=0.495*10-6 watts

0 VI.CONCLUSION
The concept of vertical axis wind turbine using magnetic
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 levitation successfully worked. Comparing to traditional
Windspeed, horizontal wind turbines, single maglev wind turbine
m/s
Fig.11 Graphical representation of Voltage vs having large capacity gives more output. The turbine
Wind Speed efficiency is improved by utilization of magnets helping to
Experiment 2 spin with fast speed with negligible friction as it cancels
 The second experiment is to check the value of out the stress on the shaft of the turbine. This modern
current and to tabulate those readings as shown in design of turbine gives more power output with higher
the below, efficiency compared to conventional wind turbine. For
avoiding the vibration of the rotor, shaft was used. The
Table 2 Experiment 2 standard windmills having set of 1000 windmills powers 5
Sl no Wind speed, m/s Current, mA lakh homes while single maglev wind turbine is capable
1. 2.778 0.09 supplying power to 7.5 lakh homes. The required area for
single maglev windmill is less than 100 acres while field
2. 5.55 0.12
of 1000 windmills require more than 64000 acres. From
3. 8.33 0.16 this observation we can say that a single maglev wind
4. 11.11 0.19 turbine is economical compared to conventional wind
The graph for the above readings is plotted below as shown turbine.
in the below figure where the Current is plotted in Y-axis
and Wind speed in X-axis. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Current vs Wind This work has been supported by Head of the Department,
Department of electrical and electronics engineering,
speed
0.25
0.16 0.19 TOCE, Bangalore.
Current, mA

0.2 0.12
0.09
0.15 REFERENCES
0.1
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0.05 levitation is used as merit over conventional wind mill” International
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Fig.12 Graphical representation of Current vs Wind 3. Harshal Vaidya, PoojaChandadkar, Bobby Khobragade, R.K. Kharat,
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0
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Fig. 13 Graphical representation of Voltage vs Current

 AUTHORS PROFILE:

Mr. Anoop H.K Diwakar M R, Final year, dept. Of EEE, TOCE

Associate professor Rakesh L, Final year, dept. Of EEE, TOCE
Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Sachin Kumar G, Final year, dept. of EEE, TOCE
The Oxford College of Engineering Ranjith Kumar M, Final year, dept. of EEE, TOCE