International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056 Volume: 03 Issue: 05 | June-2016 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2016, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 4.45 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 1524 Design, Fabrication and Testing of a Low Cost Vertical Axis Wind Mill for Low End Power Generation Sumedha Singh Rathore 1 , Rushabh Dalmia 2 , Karan Tamakuwala 3 , Sreekanth Manavalla 4 1 Student, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Campus, Chennai, India 2 Student, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Campus, Chennai, India 3 Student, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Campus, Chennai, India 4 Associate Professor, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai Campus, Chennai, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract – A vertical axis wind mill is designed, fabricated and tested to verify its suitability for low end power generation applicable for low voltage DC powered electronic equipment like mobile phones, smart phones, tablets and battery banks. Low cost material and easily available materials conforming to standards were used for the purpose to keep the overall cost minimal. The purpose of the wind mill is to meet the power requirements during natural disasters like earth quakes, cyclones and floods when the power supply from the grid is interrupted. It was observed that DC power of 90 mA at 0.2 volts could be generated with the wind mill. Use of lighter materials and better design could yield higher electrical parameters. Key Words: Wind Mill, Wind Energy, Vertical Axis, Low Cost, CFD, Design, Fabrication 1. INTRODUCTION Wind power was first used long time ago by many civilizations during mankind history to produce mechanical energy or for navigation. Only with the use of coal and oil in the last two centuries its importance decreased, but during the last decades the interest on this topic grew as much as the possible business around it. Since the beginning, two types of windmills and turbines have been built to use this renewable source: some machines with horizontal axis of rotation (HAWT) and some other with vertical axis (VAWT). The first type is the most common today, but growing market asks for machines with different proprieties to fit different requests. VAWT design have been always mistreated by literature and market, but with some new or improved technologies and decreasing prices for valuable materials such as permanent magnet, together with the peculiarity of VAWT turbines to operate were other types have problems, this turbine can have a very important advantage in the actual market. We want to investigate some structural and very important characteristics of a new kind of VAWT, which is made by aluminium blades. The motivation of this work is to develop a portable and low cost wind mill which can meet the low voltage power demands of electronic communication devices like smart phones and battery banks. This wind mill will be handy during natural calamities when grid power supply fails. 1.1 Vertical Axis Wind Mill Vertical Axis Wind Turbines are designed to be economical and practical, as well as quiet. They are great for use in residential areas whereas the HAWT is best for use at a business location. There are two different styles of vertical wind turbines out there. One is the Savonius rotor, and the second is the Darrieus model. Most of the wind turbines being used today are the Savonius models. The advantages of a vertical axis wind mill are: i. Independence on wind direction, no additional control mechanisms are required [1] ii. Electrical equipment can be placed at ground level iii. Low noise. iv. Compact size and v. Simple and cheap construction. 2. DESIGN APPROACH The initial stage of the project involved software analysis of the proposed designs. ANSYS FLUENT was used for the simulation. SOLIDWORKS was used for modelling purposes. Minimum diameter for shaft was calculated, blade dimensions and the necessary motor required to convert the mechanical energy into electrical was procured. Further, a stress analysis and deformation analysis is done to determine the minimum deflection or deformity of the blade design, therefore a single material is chosen amongst other options. 2.1 Design Constraints Economic constraints – the turbine is to be setup at minimal cost affordable to everyone.