List of acronyms

VAWT:- Vertical axis wind turbine

V:- voltage
KWh:- kilo watt hour
LED:- light
Abstract
This project emphasizes on the use of magnetic levitation in wind turbines for the purpose of
power generation. Energy is a prime factor which needs to be developed at the same time it must
be a sustainable source like Wind, Solar etc. Magnetic Levitation is a method by which an object
is suspended without any support using the magnetic fields. This paper focuses on Vertical Axis
Wind Turbine utilizing magnetic Levitation as an axial flux generator as well as an alternative to
the conventional ball bearings.
Vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended by the help of permanent magnets.
Power is then generated by using an axial flux generator which has incorporated the utilization of
permanent magnets and coils. The principle advantages of Maglev Windmill are elimination of
the frictional losses, low starting wind speeds (up to 1.5 m/s) and also operable at higher wind
speeds exceeding 40 m/s. These VAWT’s can also be utilized in micro power generation on a
domestic scale.
 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the study

The wind turbine is used for conversion of kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. The
wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.
The magnetic levitated wind turbine design is a vast departure from conventional propeller
designs. Its main advantages are that it uses frictionless bearings and a magnetic levitation design
and it does not need to vast spaces required by more conventional wind turbines. It also requires
little if any maintenance. The unique operating principle behind this design is through magnetic
levitation. Magnetic levitation is supposedly an extremely efficient system for wind energy. The
vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air replacing any need for ball
bearings. The aim of this project is to design and implement a magnetically levitated vertical axis
wind turbine system that has the ability to operate in both low and high (1.5m/s to 40m/s) wind
speed conditions. This new model of wind turbine uses magnetic levitation to reduce the internal
friction of the rotor which is considered as a revolution in the field of wind technology,
producing 20% more energy than a conventional turbine, at the same time decreasing operational
costs by 50% over the traditional wind turbine.
Hence this technology provides an extreme efficient, versatile and elegant method of producing
power from wind with nearly zero pollution. The choice for this model is to showcase its
efficiency in varying wind conditions as compared to the traditional horizontal axis wind turbine
and contribute to its steady growing popularity for the purpose of mass utilization in the near
future as a reliable source of power generation. Hence the main objective of this project is to
harness wind energy in more efficient way with frictionless magnetic levitated operation.

During the year 2014-15, the per capita electricity generation in India was 1,010 kWh with total
electricity consumption (utilities and non-utilities) of 938.823 billion or 746 kWh per capita
electricity consumption. Electric energy consumption in agriculture was recorded highest
(18.45%) in 2014-15 among all countries. The per capita electricity consumption is lower
compared to many countries despite cheaper electricity tariff in India. When the mechanical
friction is totally eliminated on that condition rotor is floating in the air due to levitation. That
makes the rotation possible in wind speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s).The main
drawback of this vertical axis wind turbines is not use for large scale industry because when
increase the size of the rotor and also increase the cost.
Finding the Capacity factors of the optimum windmill. Long term wind speed data of the sites
were used, considered the wind speed is high, the wind turbine size will be a bigger and the
capacity factor decreases and vice-versa. Low speed and capacity multi polar synchronous
generator system is applied in the Vertical axis windmill because it has low noise, vibration,
number of rotation. The generator is produced by a magnetic powder. Magnetic powder core is
used for made the stator because less cost.

1.2. Statement of the problem

As the demand of electricity is increasing day by day and availability of electricity is less than
the demand of electricity. Generation of electricity by other conventional method of power
generation is very costly and it is not economical to small scale industries or common people.
The conventional method of power generation has negative impact on environment as they
release carbon content to atmosphere so it lead to global warming. The other type of wind
turbine required large plane area for their installation and friction between rotor blades and base
causes frictional losses thus reduces power output and it requires lubrication, vast spaces and
more maintenance.

1.3. Objectives of the study

1.3.1. General Objectives
The main aim of this project is to build the vertical axis wind mill to generate electricity by using
wind energy.
This type of vertical axis wind mill will generate electricity without using generator and
alternator. By the application of magnetic levitation electricity will be generated and also
magnetic levitation reduced wind mill weight acting by the gravitational force. The main
advantage of this wind mill is its cost is very low as compared to other. This type of vertical axis
wind mill has multiple blades, which are attached to the shaft.
 1.3.2. Specific objectives
 To design a small scale, cheaper Vertical Axis Wind turbine (VAWT) which can be
installed in small areas such as balconies of houses, terrace etc.
 To design it in such a way that, it can generate enough energy to take part small load of
households electricity requirement.
 By use of Magnetic levitation to reduces the friction & eliminates need of bearings in
wind mill.
 To convert wind energy into electrical energy remarkably cheap with low operating cost.
 By use of Magnetic levitation due to absence of friction to convert energy with very less
noise compared to existing conventional wind mills.
 To perform a fluid analysis on the turbine to get results for power actual power output
 To study the Performance of the turbine in terms of Electric Power Generated.

1.4. Significance of the study

It is necessary to find out the technique which will overcome all above problems and which will
have less maintains cost as well as less initial cost, it should start at low wind speed about 1.5m/s
and should withstand high wind speed up to 40m/s and provide greater solution over the crisis of
electricity.
So, these fast-growing demand for wind energy has led to a wide variety of wind turbine designs.
A specific contemporary type is the vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), where the rotor shaft is
oriented vertically and the generator and gearbox are placed at the base of the turbine.
Compared with horizontal-axis wind turbines, VAWTs are generally considered more capable of
handling highly turbulent, gusty wind conditions and rapidly changing wind directions. Since
these conditions are commonly encountered in urban environments, this type of wind turbine can
play a vital role in urban wind energy.
The wind turbine and stator levitated properly using permanent magnets which allows for a
smooth rotation with negligible friction. At moderate wind speed the power output of the
generator satisfy the specifications needed to supply the LED load. An output ranging from 5V
to 60V was obtained from the magnetic levitated vertical axis wind turbine prototype.
 1.5. Scope of the study
The technology is expected to create new opportunities in low-speed areas, with starting speed as
low as 1.5m/s & cut in speed of 3m/s.
It is configured to capture wind from any direction and convert wind to energy at very high
efficiency. Magnetic levitation reduces the friction & eliminates need of bearings.
Today wind turbines are considered to be the most developed form of renewable energy
technology. Able to deliver clean green-power for less than one cent per kilowatt hour.
This new technology is remarkably cheap with low operating cost. Less noise compared to
existing conventional wind turbines.

The scope of the project is to design the prototype for the magnetic levitated vertical axis wind
turbine optimal design parameters with a scale reduction size for demonstration and practical
purpose of designing and also it helps to understand the practical aspects.

The vertical axis wind turbine with magnetic levitation may be mounted on residences. Here it
can be erected on rooftop with very efficient and practical approach. House owner would be
capable for extraction of free and clean energy with a minimized utility cost. For medium power
generation this design can be used.
Power generated from this turbine can be utilized in remote places where traditional method of
supplying power is costlier. Power generated from turbine can be efficiently used for
Street/domestic lighting and domestic appliances
 2. Literature review

Mr. Sharangdhar Dehardrai, et al. presented a paper titled, ’study on Magnetic Levitation for
Vertical axis Wind Turbine and Low Wind Speed’. This paper presents the design component
aspects of a Magnetically Levitated Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and to report the result analysis
using a modified magnetic circuit. The modified magnetic circuit generator reported and tested
with the built in MAGLEV-VAWT. The position of the blades to derive maximum velocity is
analyzed. The degree of impact at angle of 300 is found to have the highest lift coefficient. The
system is investigated with and without the maglev structure.

D. A. Nikam, et al. presented a paper titled, ‘Literature review on design and development of
vertical axis wind turbine blade’. This review work focuses on various stages for design and
development of optimized vertical axis wind turbine which will studies various parameters such
as general wind energy scenario, different available energy extraction methods, design and
aerodynamics performance analysis of vertical axis wind turbines. Project work will include
optimization of design parameters of vertical axis turbine blades considering different parameters
such as geometry orientation in assembly.

Mayur Patel, et al. presented a paper titled, ‘Design, Analysis & Fabrication of Maglev Vertical
Axis Wind Turbine’. This paper presents magnetic pressure is used to counteract the effects of
the gravitational and any other accelerations. The principal advantage of a maglev windmill from
a conventional one is, as the rotor is floating in the air due to levitation, mechanical friction is
totally eliminated. That makes the rotation possible in very low wind speeds, which is the new
direction to improve the performance of wind turbines. In this project work, magnetically
levitated (maglev) wind turbines are designed and developed. The choice for the model is to
showcase its efficiency in varying wind conditions as compared to the traditional horizontal axis
wind turbine and contribute to its steady growing popularity for the purpose of mass utilization
in the near future as a reliable source of power generation.

Nirav Patel, et al. presented a paper titled, ‘Design and Performance Analysis of a magnetically
Levitated Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Based Axial Flux PM Generator’. This paper presents an
innovative concepts to design of a magnetically levitated axial flux permanent magnet generator
used in vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). Conventional PM axial flux generator’s efficiency
needs to be improved by reducing frictional losses. This novel design incorporates magnetic
levitation concept using rare earth permanent magnets between dual rotors to reduce the losses
research demonstrated a simple way to enable a darrieus VAWT to be self-starting and achieve
higher efficiencies . Historically VAWTs cost more to operate and maintain than Horizontal Axis
Wind Turbine. A counter rotating wind turbine with a freely rotating generator can produce
higher amounts of power than common wind generators. The wind turbine rotors and stator
levitated properly using permanent magnets which allowed for a smooth rotation with negligible
friction. At moderate wind speeds the power output of the generator satisfied the specifications
needed to supply the LED load. The project as an overall system we found that it functioned
properly but there feel limited the amount of power it could output.
3. Methodology
3.1. Major components of maglev vertical axis wind turbine
 two O-ring neodymium magnets
Dimension 40mm, 20mm, 10mm of outer diameter, inner diameter and
thickness respectively
 non-rotating plate(stator)
 rotating plate(rotor)
 ten disc type magnets of diameter 30mm and 4mm thickness
 shaft
 copper coils
3.2. Major steps

 Acquiring major components such as neodymium permanent magnet, PVC pipes, MS

collar, and base support.
 We will fabricate the rotor blades using PVC pipes and Plywood circular disc with using
soldering, drilling, riveting and cutting techniques.
 We will assemble miniature model with levitation system
 Placement of windings and magnet arrangement
 Testing of final model using blower
 We will generate electricity using axial flux generator
4. RESEARCH WORK PLAN AND BUDGET

The following table shows that activities of the research and its time length to complete the
research.
4.1. Work plan
Table 1: Research work plan

Tasks to be carried out Duration in weeks Remarks

1. Submit proposal 2 If we get supply on time and
2. Material selection analysis 1 finest internet connection we
3. Design analysis 3-5 definitely finish accordingly.
4 Model and simulation 1 Unless it need one or two
5. Material purchasing 2/7 more weeks to finish.
6. Prototype 5-6
7. Test and verification 3/7
8. Correction and approving 1/7
4.2. Budget analysis

Table 2: Cost Estimation for Research

List Type Quantity Cost

Cost of magnets Neodymium magnet 2 O-ring
O-ring 10-disc type
Disc type
Cost of PVC - 1 400

Cost of wooden plates Circular 2 200

Cost of fasteners L-type 10 200

Cost of machining Drilling - 800

Riveting
Cutting
Soldering
Shaft Hollow tube 1 100

Cost of assembly - - 1000

Total 2700

References

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<http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2008_s.pdf>

[2.2] "Installed Wind Capacity Surged 45% in 2007: AWEA Market Report." American

Wind Energy Association. 29 Apr. 2009

<http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Market_Release_Q4_011708.html>.
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EERE Server Maintenance. 29 Apr. 2009

<http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html>.

[3.2] "What is Magnetic Levitation?" The Tech FAQ. 29 Apr. 2009 <http://www.techfaq.

Com/magnetic-levitation.shtml>.

[4.1] "Wind Turbine FAQ." Rainbow Power Company. 29 Apr. 2009

<http://www.rpc.com.au/products/windturbines/wind_faq.html>.

[4.2] Putnam, Palmer Cosslett. Putnam's Power from the wind. New York: Van Nostrand

Reinhold, 1982.

[5] Amit D. Patil, Amit W. Chake, Manoj I. Helonde, Pravin M. Gupta, “Vertical Axis Wind
Turbine with Maglev Technology”, IJSRD -International Journal for Scientific Research &
Development , Vol. 2, Issue 12, 2015