With weeks to go before the U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition 2016, we are pleased to introduce our final teams who hail from the University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and U...
May 5, 2016
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With weeks to go before the U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition 2016, we are pleased to introduce our final teams who hail from the University of Maryland, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and University of Wisconsin–Madison.
These teams are putting all of their creativity and determination into innovative projects that have the potential to change the world. Read-on to discover their strategies for success.
University of Maryland
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The Wind “Terp”ines have put together a horizontal-axis wind turbine, otherwise known as a HAWT, with blade pitching— the angle at which the blade is positioned on the wind turbine designed to enhance cut-in speed and power production. The turbine is engineered for the agricultural market in developing countries of which safety, reliability, and low cost are the primary guiding needs.
These first time participants also have the unique advantage of employing advanced manufacturing facilities and wind tunnels on campus to help test their design before the competition. Senior Aerospace Engineering student, Mario Mondal, stated that, “I have chosen this as my senior design project because I will get a real experience of engineering and building a prototype of a wind turbine as a team. Also, it is an opportunity to take part in a competition with our own engineered product.”
University of Massachusetts Amherst
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With a wind energy program founded in 1973, the University of Massachusetts Amherst has a long history of wind energy research and education activities. The UMass MinuteWind team is comprised of undergraduate engineering and business students who elected to be part of a year-long course to become experts in creating and marketing their project. The more the students talk with experts and potential end users, the more confident they are in their project and its application.
UMass MinuteWind intends to build a wind turbine that powers a water purification system to be used after natural disasters, at forward operating bases, and in refugee camps. Depending on the operating conditions (i.e. population size, geographic location, etc.), multiple turbines could be implemented to suit a variety of scenarios. They plan to market this turbine primarily to non-governmental organizations and disaster relief groups, with the goal of supplying clean drinking and grey water to affected locations.
University of Massachusetts Lowell
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America’s first large-scale factory town, the City of Lowell is considered the “Cradle of the American Industrial Revolution,” and the WindHawks are on a mission to revolutionize the wind industry. The University of Massachusetts Lowell is pursuing a modular wind turbine design that aims to challenge traditional solutions and permanently change the off-grid wind energy field. The team participated in active discussions about the technical and business aspects of the solution within their target market. By closely working with the end customer, the team was able to experience firsthand the intricacies and challenges of the user-driven product development cycle.
The team has learned from its experience competing in 2014 and 2015 and plans to arrive at the competition 100% ready for any and all challenges that the competition may present. The Army has also provided advice on the WindHawks’ project this year.
University of Wisconsin–Madison
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After significant research and coordination with University of Wisconsin–Madison faculty, WiscWind will be pursuing a helical-blade, which looks somewhat like a spiral, vertical-axis wind turbine that uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor for electricity generation supply. This will lead to a more robust and maintenance-free design.
Currently, the turbine is being designed for a battery that will be capable of powering electrical loads for several markets throughout India. India was chosen as an ideal market for off-grid wind because areas of the country experience some of the strongest global wind resources. 21.3% of India’s population also lacks access to electricity, according to a 2012 study compiled by The World Bank. Closer to home, WiscWind team member, Khan Kassymov, a native of Kazakhstan, plans to use the experience with the Collegiate Wind Competition to aid him in the ever-increasing wind energy workforce in his home country.
The race for the Collegiate Wind Competition championship is heating up, especially since the winning design will be displayed at U.S. Department of Energy headquarters in Washington! To catch-up on competition information, read about the first set of teams, second set of teams, get the schedule for public pitches and tunnel testing, and find out about the challenges each team faces.