Summary Reader Response Draft 3
According to the article “ Possible to dramatically increase power density in wind farms with SeaTwirl’s vertical axis turbines'' published on Seatwirl (Johansson, 2022), it states that in wind farm designs, Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) outperformed Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) due to their superior power density, quicker wake recovery, and increased turbulence generation. SeaTwirl enlisted Dr. Pablo Ouro from the University of Manchester to conduct research on optimal wind farm configurations, featuring 25 turbines of 10 MW each arranged in five rows. They observe that the slender VAWTs, taller with a smaller diameter, achieved a remarkable power density of nearly 19 MW/km2, surpassing the 2.65 MW/km2 of typical HAWT setups. The offshore VAWT has wind blades attached to the turbine body, an energy converter, a buoyant turbine body consisting of a buoyancy-providing and ballast portion, and a water movement based braking arrangement (Ehrnberg, 2020). Functionally, the energy converter converts kinetic and potential energy caught by the VAWT’s wind blades to electrical energy (Ehrnberg, 2020). The webpage “What is vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and how does it work?” by Luvside (2020) states that VAWTs, like HAWTs, generate electricity by harnessing wind energy through rotor rotation, which is then converted into electrical power by a connected generator which makes it a renewable energy source.
Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have the potential to lessen Singapore's reliance on oil by providing sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources.
The wind energy generated is a clean and renewable source as it does not depend on fossil fuel or greenhouse gas during the generation of electricity. VAWTs start producing power at relatively low wind speeds and can generate electricity from wind that is blowing in any direction (Kumar., et al, 2018). The article “The Impact of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines on the Environment” written by Yang (2023) states that there are no carbon emissions produced when electricity is generated from the wind. Because VAWTs use wind power, they do not require any fuels and emit no emissions, making them an excellent choice for environmentally beneficial energy.
VAWTs present an environmentally sustainable option for wind energy generation, given their capacity to effectively mitigate noise pollution by surpassing traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines and their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, as indicated by Yang (2023). An article “HAWTs vs VAWTs” posted on a webpage by Gardiner (2011) states that VAWTs are known for their enhanced performance in turbulent wind conditions, making them suitable for rooftop and urban installations. They rotate at lower RPM (revolutions per minute), resulting in reduced vibration and noise. Many VAWT manufacturers claim noise levels of under 40 dB within a 20 ft/6m distance, whereas some HAWT manufacturers, when they provide such data, often report noise levels of 50 to 60 dB or more over much greater distances (Gardiner, 2011).
While Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) have significant advantages in terms of noise levels and adaptability to diverse wind conditions, it's essential to consider some potential drawbacks and challenges associated with their widespread adoption.
Some critics argue that VAWTs may encounter challenges such as difficulties in reliably starting at low wind speeds and less efficient power generation compared to HAWTs. According to a report authored by Mohammed, Ibrahim, and Iliyasu, Dang (2009) and Gu (2020) mentioned that HAWTs have been shown to outperform VAWTs due to their higher efficiency, exceeding 70%. In contrast, VAWTs typically have an efficiency ranging from 50% to 60%.
Dang and Gu further claim that HAWTs are able to catch a substantial amount of incoming wind when all of their blades are working simultaneously. This minimizes aerodynamic losses. Moreover, HAWTs typically feature blades with higher rotational speeds, a characteristic influenced by their weight and design, which further enhances their overall efficiency.
On the other hand, VAWTs tend to have lower efficiency primarily due to a drag force that restricts their ability to fully harness the incoming wind stated by Dang and Gu. This results in partial blade operation, making them less effective at generating power compared to HAWTs. Additionally, because VAWTs are positioned closer to the ground and at lower elevations, they may generate less energy than HAWTs at the same height and location.
In summary, Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) offer a promising avenue to reduce Singapore's reliance on oil and establish a sustainable, eco-friendly energy source. VAWTs excel in starting power generation at low wind speeds, producing clean and renewable energy with zero emissions, and adapting well to diverse wind conditions. Their advantages include minimal noise levels and suitability for urban environments. However, critics argue that VAWTs may have efficiency challenges compared to Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), which capture more wind and operate at higher speeds. The choice between VAWTs and HAWTs should consider local conditions and energy needs, but VAWTs can play a valuable role in Singapore's transition to a greener, less oil-dependent energy landscape.
Reference
Johansson, A. (2022, September 20). White paper: Possible to dramatically increase power density in wind farms with SeaTwirl’s vertaical axis turbines. SeaTwirl. https://seatwirl.com/news/white-paper-possible-to-dramatically-increase-power-density-in-wind-farms-with-seatwirls-vertical-axis-turbines/
Luvside (2020, March 31). What is vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and how does it work?. Luvside. https://www.luvside.de/en/what-is-vawt/#:~:text=They%20produce%20electricity%20by%20utilizing,the%20mechanical%20energy%20into%20electricity.
Ehrnberg, D. (2020). Floating wind energy harvesting apparatus with braking arrangement, and a method of controlling a rotational speed of the apparatus (U.S. Patent No. 10,662,926). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/10662926
Gardiner, G. (2011, January 1). HAWTs vs. VAWTs. Composite World. https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/hawts-vs-vawts
Kumar, R. Raahemifar, K. Fung, A. (2018, June). A critical review of vertical axis wind turbines for urban applications. Science Direct.
Yang, J. (2023, February 4). The Impact of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines on the Environment. fritzenergy
https://fritzenergy.com/impact-of-vertical-axis-wind-turbines-on-environment/
Mohammed, A. Ibrahim, J. Iliyasu, O. (n.d.). Comparative Study of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hpjsmt/article/view/245228/231976
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