Aerodynamic Performance Optimisation of a Savonius VAWT for Traffic Wind Energy Harvesting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/qvvjrq90Keywords:
Aerodynamic. electricity. savonius rotors. traffic. wind turbineAbstract
Purpose: This study evaluates the aerodynamic performance of Savonius rotors designed to harvest vehicular kinetic energy at three arterial entrances in Hillah, Iraq.
Design/Methodology/Approach: 36 rotor designs (varying blades: 2, 3, 4; sizes: 4, 6, 8 inches) were tested under simulated urban wind profiles. Empirical results were validated using transient 2D CFD simulations (SST k-w model) within a 5-7% error margin.
Research Limitation: The study is limited to the specific environmental and traffic conditions of Hillah's entrances and relies on 2D CFD simulations.
Findings: A 3-blade, 6-inch design optimally balances torque and drag, achieving a maximum power coefficient (Cp) of 0.545. While 4-inch rotors are aerodynamically efficient, they yield low absolute power; conversely, 8-inch rotors produce high power but suffer from efficiency losses due to vortex shedding. Site-specific optimisations dictate: a 2-blade/4-inch rotor for high velocity (Entrance 1), a 3-blade/6-inch for moderate velocity (Entrance 2), and a 4-blade/6-inch for low velocity (Entrance 3).
Practical Implication: Municipalities can deploy these site-optimised rotors to harness vehicle wakes and sustainably power decentralised infrastructure such as streetlights and traffic sensors.
Social Implication: Generating clean electricity from traffic wakes reduces reliance on traditional power grids, promoting sustainable urban development and localised energy resilience.
Originality / Value: The study provides a novel, scalable approach for topological tuning in harvesting vehicular kinetic energy to power decentralised urban infrastructure.
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