Electricity Generation From Wind Turbines at Low Wind Velocities: A Review

33 Pages Posted: 7 May 2019 Last revised: 5 Jul 2019

See all articles by Sri Ragunath V

Sri Ragunath V

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)

Jitendra K Pandey

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)

Amit Kumar Mondal

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)

Ashish Karn

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun

Date Written: April 16, 2019

Abstract

Wind turbines are simple and eco-friendly means of generating electricity. This review paper introduces the challenges in harvesting maximum energy at low wind velocities (typically around 3 m/s, the cut-in wind speed for most of the turbines). The recent research works carried out with regards to design and operation of the wind turbines at low wind velocities are summarized. With respect to design, optimizing blade geometry, improving the starting characteristics, addition of flow augmentation devices and electrical efficiency improvement are explained. Regarding the operation of low wind velocity turbines, some novel means of improving the operational performance and some unconventional modes of operation have been discussed thoroughly. The current study on low speed wind turbines has ascertained that there is a great potential for energy harvesting at low wind velocities with significant possible improvement in energy conversion efficiency. Finally, few potential areas of research in the area of low speed wind turbines have been pointed out.

Keywords: Small wind turbines, Low wind regime, Blade geometry, Starting characteristics, Flow augmentation, Operational performance

Suggested Citation

V, Sri Ragunath and Pandey, Jitendra K and Mondal, Amit Kumar and Karn, Ashish, Electricity Generation From Wind Turbines at Low Wind Velocities: A Review (April 16, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372736 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3372736

Sri Ragunath V

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) ( email )

Energy Acres
P.O. Bidholi via Premnagar,
Dehradun, IN Uttarakhand 248007
India

Jitendra K Pandey

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) ( email )

Energy Acres
P.O. Bidholi via Premnagar,
Dehradun, IN Uttarakhand 248007
India

Amit Kumar Mondal

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) ( email )

Energy Acres
P.O. Bidholi via Premnagar,
Dehradun, IN Uttarakhand 248007
India

Ashish Karn (Contact Author)

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun ( email )

Energy Acres
P.O. Bidholi via Premnagar,
Dehradun, IN Uttarakhand 248007
India

HOME PAGE: http://umn.edu/~karn

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
1,303
Abstract Views
3,824
Rank
28,777
PlumX Metrics