Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-005-00D, Renewable Energy Systems for Water Pumping and Remote Electric Power Generation. New rotor blades with a different airfoil shape and a smaller rotor diameter were tested on the Bergey Excel (10 kW) wind turbine used in a water pumping system. The power output was about 40% less with new blades than with original blades. We had planned on testing another set of new blades on the Bergey Excel 10-kW wind turbine, but so far the manufacturer has not provided us with a blade set to test. Continued testing has shown that these new blades (new airfoil and shorter blade diameter) did not perform as well as the old blades because
the blades were not rotating fast enough, so the optimum angle-of-attack that maximizes the lift-to-drag ratio was not achieved. We have continued to operate the wind-electric water pumping system to determine the lifetime of various parts on this wind turbine--this wind turbine has been tested for water pumping since 1988. In June 2003, the permanent magnet alternator (PMA) on the Bergey 1500 we have been using for livestock watering at the ARS Laboratory had its stator fail due to malfunction of electrical components in the ARS-AEI controller which did not disconnect the wind turbine at high wind speeds. We replaced that wind turbine with another Bergey 1500 wind turbine and the stator in that PMA also shorted out (lasted only 10 days)--unsure of the cause but may have been lightning. Two student interns at WTAMU-AEI designed a new water pumping controller with assistance from ARS engineers. New instrumentation for the Bergey 1500 was purchased and installed with the new
controller. The pumping performance has been much less than before. The data analysis has not been completed to determine whether the problem is with the wind turbine, controller, or submersible motor/pump.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Clark, R.N., Ling, J., Ling, S. Remote Solar, wind, and hybrid solar/wind energy systems for purifying water. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering. 2003. v. 125. p. 107-110.
|
Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: The ultraviolet water purifier system is targeted to disadvantaged population groups. The system is designed as highly portable. It can be easily transported in a pickup truck and set-up and installed without special equipment. The system has been made more reliable, and can be operated without any major technical expertise. D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas AM University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-005-00D, Renewable Energy Systems for Water Pumping and Remote Electric Power Generation. New rotor blades with a different airfoil shape and a smaller rotor diameter were tested on the Bergey Excel (10 kW) wind turbine used in
a water pumping system. The power output was about 40% less with new blades than with original blades. The reduction in swept area of the blades accounted for 30% of the loss, so the efficiency of the new blades was also reduced. The measured power coefficient was about 0.23 for the new blades. while the old blades had a power coefficient of 0.28. We also determined that these new blades (new airfoil and shorter blade diameter) did not perform as well as the old blades because the blades were not rotating fast enough, so the optimum angle-of-attack which maximizes the lift-to-drag ratio was not achieved. No work was done on the inverter controller using a Bergey 850 this year because of significant problems with the wind turbine. The Bergey 850 is a discontinued line that is no longer sold, and repair parts are not available. The main problems were caused by the slip-rings wearing beyond repair in a single location because of the dominate wind direction. This damaged wind
turbine also caused us to drop the study on the impact of blade rotation direction on occurrence of furling. The 500-W Southwest Windpower Windseeker that was used in the water purification studies was used to charge batteries and determine the most efficient lighting load possible. This wind turbine broke the plastic piece holding the regulator on the permanent magnet alternator while it was furling, but other than that, the wind turbine has had no other failures. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. 1) Millions of people die each year in developing countries due to drinking from an unsafe water supply; therefore, an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system powered by solar and/or wind energy was tested jointly by at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas AM University. The system consisted of a 500-Watt wind turbine, a 100-Watt solar panel, an UV water
purification unit, and a controller designed and developed by the Alternative Energy Institute. Results have shown that enough water can be purified with a 600-Watt hybrid wind/solar system to satisfy the potable water requirements of 4000 people at a cost of about $1 per person. This renewable energy-powered UV water purification system may save the lives of thousands (perhaps millions) of people because most people in developing countries do not have access to utility electricity or money to purchase expensive petroleum fuels. 2) Water pumping wind systems utilize a controller to connect the pump motor when sufficient electricity is being generated. Previous controllers disconnected the pump motor or load when the wind speed was high and too much electricity was being generated and the pump was turning too fast. In the off line condition, many wind systems rotate too fast, which makes the machine noisy, and the high rotor speed can lead to catastrophic failure. Several
controllers with dump loads were tested on water pumping systems ranging from 50 W to 10 kW. The application of a dump load by the controller was shown to be a very simple way of keeping the wind turbine from over-speeding, which should increase the lifetime of the wind turbine and reduce the noise dramatically. This improved controller makes wind electric water pumping systems more attractive, regardless of whether a 50 W or 10-kW wind turbine is needed. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? 2004 - The pitch angle for the new rotor blades will be adjusted on the Bergey XL wind turbine; however, this will not be a simple matter because the old blades turned clock-wise (CW) and the new ones turn counter-clock- wise (CCW). This will require that the existing blade studs on the alternator hub be modified. An additional alternator will be secured to do this modification on so we can maintain a working comparison. The Alternative Energy Institute has
been approached about testing an German designed wind turbine (Future Technologies, AG or US licensed company WindKraft, Inc.) with a unique platform for water pumping. If a prototype machine becomes available in 2004, we will test it in a water pumping configuration with the ARS/AEI controller. 7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? The Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas AM University hosted the Wind Energy Applications and Technology Symposium (WEATS) in November 2001. AEI provided the "Introduction to Wind Energy," on a half day short course, and "Wind Characteristics and Measurement." These are fundamental courses that are needed before participants can understand the operation and performance of wind energy systems. There were
approximately 25 participants from around the world and American Indian Reservations. A tour of wind and solar experiments at Bushland was given to the Dryland Agriculture Institute Workshop, West Texas AM University, Canyon, TX. Many of the students were from the mid-East and Africa. Farmers, ranchers and developers have contacted AEI. Fifty-five individuals have visited AEI and received information on the current status of wind development in Texas and have gotten a feel for the potential for the development of their lands for renewable energy projects. 8. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: This does not replace your peer-reviewed publications listed below). Dr. Nelson gave a presentation at the PUC Transmission Workshop entitled "Wind Resource Screening Using GIS" in Austin, TX, October 21, 2002. At the IEEE Fall 2002 Professional Development seminar, Dr. Nelson gave talk on
"Harnessing the Power of the Wind", in Amarillo, TX, October 29, 2002. During the Wind Power for Irrigation Symposium, Dr. Nelson presented a paper entitled "Wind Irrigation in Texas", in Twin Falls, Idaho, December 12, 2002. Dr. Nelson presented a paper entitled "Wind Irrigation in Texas" at the Idaho Energy Division Symposium in Idaho Falls, Idaho, December 13, 2002. Ken Starcher presented a paper entitled "Small Turbine Workshop" at SECO - Hale Center Museum, Hale Center, TX, March 13-14, 2003. Nelson, V., Starcher, K., Ito, H., Lockwood, P. Poster presentation entitled "Extreme Wind Events", Solar Power Conference, Austin, TX, May 17, 2003. A general presentation by Ken Starcher was presented to IEEE Sp 2003 Professional Development class entitled "Power from the Sun", Amarillo, TX, March 27, 2003. Ken Starcher talked to a group at the Forth Worth Farm Ranch Club Meeting entitled "Growing with the Wind", Forth Worth, TX, July 22, 2003. Dr. Nelson presented a paper entitled
"Wind Energy and Wind Turbines" to the Solar Class at UT, Austin, TX, April 3, 2003. At the Dept. Economics, FHSU, Dr. Nelson gave a talk entitled "Inherit the Wind, Symposium on Wind-Power", Fort Hays, KS, April 10, 2003.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Clark, R.N., Ling, J., Ling, S. Remote Solar, wind, and hybrid solar/wind energy systems for purifying water. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering. 2003. v. 125. p. 107-110.
|
Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
4. What was your most significant accomplishment this past year? C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: The ultraviolet water purifier system is targeted to disadvantaged population groups. The system is designed as highly portable. It can be easily transported in a pick-up truck and set-up and installed without special equipment. The system has been made more reliable, and can be operated without any major technical expertise. D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-005-00D, Renewable Energy Systems for Water Pumping and Remote Electric Power Generation. New rotor blades with a different airfoil shape and a smaller rotor diameter were tested on the Bergey XL (10 kW) wind turbine used in a
water pumping system. The power output was about 40% less with new blades than with original blades. The reduction in swept area of the blades accounted for 30% of the loss, so the efficiency of the new blades was also reduced. The measured power coefficient was about 0.23 for the new blades, while the old blades had a power coefficient was 0.28. We also determined that these new blades (new airfoil and shorter blade diameter) did not perform as well as the old blades because the blades were not rotating fast enough, so the optimum angle-of-attack which maximizes the lift-to-drag ratio was not achieved. No work was done on the inverter controller using a Bergey 850 this year because of significant problems with the wind turbine. The Bergey 850 is a discontinued line that is no longer sold and repair parts are not available. The main problems were caused by the slip-rings wearing beyond repair in a single location because of the dominate wind direction. This damaged wind turbine
also caused us to drop the study on the impact of blade rotation direction on occurrence of furling. The 500-W Southwest Windpower Windseeker that was used in the water purification studies was used to charge batteries and determine the most efficient lighting load possible. This wind turbine broke the plastic piece holding the regulator on the permanent magnet alternator while it was furling, but other than that, the wind turbine has had no other failures. 5. Describe your major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact? Millions of people die each year in developing countries due to drinking from an unsafe water supply; therefore, an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system powered by solar and/or wind energy was tested jointly by at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. The system consisted of a 500-Watt wind turbine, a 100-Watt solar panel, an UV water purification
unit, and a controller designed and development by the Alternative Energy Institute. Results have shown that enough water can be purified with a 600-Watt hybrid wind/solar system to satisfy the potable water requirements of 4000 people at a cost of about $1 per person per year. This renewable energy powered UV water purification system may save the lives of thousands (perhaps millions) of people because most people in developing countries do not have access to utility electricity or money to purchase expensive petroleum fuels. Water pumping wind systems utilize a controller to connect the pump motor when sufficient electricity is being generated. Previous controllers disconnected the pump motor or load when the wind speed was high and too much electricity was being generated and the pump was turning too fast. In the off-line condition, many wind systems rotate too fast which makes the machine noisy, and the high rotor speed can lead to catastrophic failure. Several controllers with
dump loads were tested on water pumping systems ranging from 50 W to 10 kW. The application of a dump load by the controller was shown to be a very simple way of keeping the wind turbine from over-speeding which should increase the lifetime of the wind turbine and reduce the noise dramatically. This improved controller makes wind-electric water pumping systems more attractive regardless of whether a 50 W or 10-kW wind turbine is needed. 6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years? 2003 - The pitch angle for the new rotor blades will be adjusted on the Bergey XL wind turbine; however, this will not be a simple matter because the old blades turned clock-wise (CW) and the new ones turn counter-clock- wise (CCW). This will require that the existing blade studs on the alternator hub be modified. An additional alternator will be secured to do this modification on so we can maintain a working comparison. Data collection will continue with battery and
electrical lighting load on the Windseeker (500 Watt) wind turbine. The Alternative Energy Institute has been approached about testing a German-designed wind turbine (Future Technologies, AG or US licensed company WindKraft, Inc.) with a unique planform for water pumping. If a prototype machine becomes available in 2003, we will test it in a water pumping configuration with the ARS/AEI controller. 2004 - The above testing will continue through 2004. 2005 - When these test are completed, we are considering using these small wind turbines in other water pumping related experiments. Doing a desalinazation process is a top priority. 7. What technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer other scientist)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption durability of the technology? The Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University hosted the Wind Energy Applications and Technology
Symposium (WEATS) in November 2001 for two days. AEI provided the classes "Introduction to Wind Energy, " and "Wind Characteristics and Measurement." These are fundamental courses that are needed before participants can understand the operation and performance of wind energy systems. There were approximately 25 participants from around the world and American Indian Reservations. A tour of wind and solar experiments at Bushland was given to the Dryland Agriculture Institute Workshop, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX. Many of the students were from the mid-East and Africa. Farmers, ranchers and developers have contacted AEI. Fifty-five individuals have visited AEI and received information on the current status of wind development in Texas and have gotten a feel for the potential for the development of their lands for renewable energy projects. 8. List your most important publications and presentations, and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your
review publications which are listed below) Introduction to Wind Energy and Windy Land Owners seminar at the University of Texas, Perminan Basin, Midland, TX, January 28, 2002. Dr. Nelson gave a talk entitled "20 years of testing: What we now know about home and farm sized renewable energy systems" at the IBC Wind Energy Conference in Boston, MA, August 28, 2002. The Alternative Energy Institute hosted with ARS a "Windy Landowners Seminar" with Dr. Nelson and Ken Starcher as speakers, March 14, 2002. Over 200 paid to attend this one-day seminar. Dr. Nelson presented a talk entitled "Wind Resources and Wind Farms" at the Great Plains Foundation Symposium in Amarillo, TX, April 1-3, 2002.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Pokhrel, K.C. Performance of Renewable Energy Systems at a Demonstration Project. Masters Thesis. 2001. West Texas A&M University. 60 p.
|
Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it?
2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter?
3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Component(s)?
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year?
A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2000 year: Millions of people die each year in developing countries due to drinking from an unsafe water supply; therefore, an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system powered by solar and/or wind energy was tested jointly by at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. The system consisted of a 500-Watt wind turbine, a 100-Watt solar panel, an UV water purification unit, and a controller designed and development by the Alternative Energy Institute. Results have shown that enough water can be purified with a 600-Watt hybrid wind/solar system to satisfy the potable water requirements of 4000 people at a cost of about $1 per person. This renewable energy powered UV water purification system may save the lives of thousands (perhaps millions) of people because most people in developing countries do not have access to utility electricity or money to purchase expensive
petroleum fuels. B. Other Significant Accomplishment(s), if any: None. C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: The ultraviolet water purifier system is targeted to disadvantaged population groups. The system is designed as highly portable. It can be easily transported in a pick-up truck and set-up and installed without special equipment. The system has been made more reliable, and can be operated without any major technical expertise. D. Progress Report: This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 6209-13610-005-00D, Renewable Energy Systems for Water Pumping and Remote Electric Power Generation. A new controller for the renewable energy powered ultraviolet (UV) water purification system was built by student interns at the Alternative
Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University. The new controller operated the same as the prototype controller, but was placed in an enclosure that could be used in an outdoor environment. The main controller circuit board was changed because the small microprocessor was no longer available, which resulted in requiring new software to be written. The new software included better controller logic (let UV light warm up before pumping water) and a better display (displayed reason for faults) for the operator. The dump load capacity was doubled, so the controller could handle higher voltages. The solar/wind powered UV water purification system has operated without any problems for 3 months. We have continued to collect water pumping and furling data on the Bergey 10-kW wind-electric system. The ARS/AEI controller with solid state relays and capacitive/resistive dump load has been running for over 2 yrs with no problems. On December 22, 2000, recorded power reached 18 kW at 70 Hz. The
submersible pump motor is protected from this excess power because the dump load is absorbing most of the power with the system still pumping water. Modifications were made to the high-frequency cut-out to limit the power produced by the generator.
5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project including their predicted or actual impact.
Water pumping wind systems utilize a controller to connect the pump motor when sufficient electricity is being generated. Previous controllers disconnected the pump motor or load when the wind speed was high and too much electricity was being generated and the pump was turning too fast. In the off-line condition, many wind systems rotate too fast which makes the machine noisy, and the high rotor speed can lead to catastrophic failure. Several controllers with dump loads were tested on water pumping systems ranging from 50 W to 10 kW. The application of a dump load by the controller was shown to be a very simple way of keeping the wind turbine from over speeding which should increase the lifetime of the wind turbine and reduce the noise dramatically. This improved controller makes wind electric-water pumping systems more attractive regardless of whether a 50 W or 10-kW wind turbine is needed.
6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years?
FY 2002 - The solar/wind powered ultraviolet (UV) water purification system will be operated until it is determined the controller is reliable. The controller will need to be operated for at least a year to experience sufficient high winds to determine if it will operate correctly at extreme events. In addition, a new 500-W wind turbine that was installed May 25, 2001, will be tested with this system. The previous 500-W wind turbine used with the UV water purifier is no longer being manufactured. A new set of blades will be installed on the Bergey 10-kW wind turbine. These new blades have a new airfoil and planform and are currently being used on this size wind turbines in California. Comparing the power curve of the new blades to the old blades will enable us to estimate the increase in kWh production with the new blades. Also, it will provide airfoil designers field test data that is presently not available. FY 2003 - We will collect 3-phase AC power data directly off the wind
turbine using the new Synergy 5000DD wind turbine to determine which values of resistance and capacitance that will maximize the power. After determining the optimum power curves for the Synergy wind turbine, we'll connect an ARS/AEI controller to pump water with the optimum submersible motor and centrifugal pump size. We will also collect data on the wind turbine which will determine the furling behavior (furling is the ability of the wind turbine to aerodynamically turn out of the wind at high wind speeds in order to prevent the destruction of the wind turbine). The Synergy controller which converts the variable 3-phase AC voltage/frequency electricity from the wind turbine into direct current (DC) electricity will also be tested. The DC electricity will be used to pump water using Solarjack DC diaphragm pumps.
7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints if known, to the adoption & durability of the technology product?
The Alternative Energy Institute, West Texas A&M University hosted the Wind Energy Applications and Technology Symposium (WEATS) in November 2000 and May 2001. AEI provided the "Introduction to Wind Energy," on a half day short course, and "Wind Characteristics and Measurement." These are fundamental courses that are needed before participants can understand the operation and performance of wind energy systems. There were approximately 25 participants from around the world and American Indian Reservations. A tour of wind and solar experiments at Bushland was given to the Dryland Agriculture Institute Workshop, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX. Many of the students were from Africa. Interview on CBS national news about wind farms in West Texas, August 24, 2001. Farmers, ranchers and developers have contacted AEI. Twenty-five individuals have visited AEI and received information on the current status of wind development in Texas and have gotten a feel for the potential for the
development of their lands for renewable energy projects.
8. List your most important publications in the popular press (no abstracts) and presentations to non-scientific organizations and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your peer-reviewed publications which are listed below)
Nelson, V., Starcher, K. Wind/Solar Resource Assessment State of Texas, 1995-1999. Available from: http://www.windenergy.org/publications/reports/aei/r0002/index.htm. "Energ!a Eclica para Aplicaciones Productivas", Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico 14-17 March, 2001. Introduction to Wind Energy and Windy Land Owners seminar at the Texas Renewable Energy Roundup, Fredericksburg, TX, Sept. 29-30, 2001. An interview on KGNC-FM radio for general public information of home sized systems and windy land owners information. Discussed the new wind farm in Whitedeer and the potential duel income for farmers and ranchers in the Panhandle of Texas if more wind projects are developed.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Pokhrel, K.C. Performance of Renewable Energy Systems at a Demonstration Project. Masters Thesis. 2001. West Texas A&M University. 60 p.
|
Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/00
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it?
For many rural areas, some form of pumping is required to lift water from a well or stream to provide a reliable, safe drinking water supply. Many of these water supplies are not adjacent to electric utility lines. Because of the high cost of installing and maintaining rural electric lines with low energy usage, charges per unit of energy used are quite high. Livestock producers are searching for lower cost methods of supplying water for their livestock. Renewable energy technologies of wind and solar power offer excellent possibilities to provide the energy required to pump this water. This research project attempts to develop and demonstrate reliable remote water pumping systems. This technology is also applicable for providing water to the approximately 2 billion people in the world who do not have a clean, safe reliable drinking water supply. A clean, safe drinking water supply for all peoples would save hundreds of lives each year from cholera, dysentery, and other water
related diseases. Another aspect of this research is to provide basic electricity to rural areas where electric utility line extensions are not viable because of the high cost. Currently, it cost approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per mile to construct a basic electric utility line. These costs are always paid by the consumer. Renewable energies can provide basic electric services at costs much below the cost of utility power when the cost of lines are included. The research is focused on evaluating systems for reliability and cost.
2. How serious is the problem? Why does it matter?
Providing a clean, safe water supply is essential for the basic survival of life. It is estimated that every hour, more than four hundred children in developing countries die from water-borne diseases. We have no estimate of the number of livestock that are lost each year because of water borne diseases. The solution is often as simple as pumping water from an uncontaminated well rather than allowing livestock or humans to use a polluted surface water supply. Water pumping for livestock is taking on several new perspectives because of new environmental regulations that are being imposed concerning free access of livestock to flowing streams. Any stream reach may be restricted at any time by EPA or similar state agencies. Renewable energies have demonstrated the potential to meet the needs of pumping water in remote areas where utility electricity is not available. Under the proposed electric deregulation legislation, utilities will no longer be required to provide electric
service at a basic minimal cost. One fear of electrical utility deregulation is that agricultural costumers will be charged so much for electrical services that it will be the same as denying them service. Renewable energies must have the technology ready to fill this need.
3. How does it relate to the National Program(s) and National Component(s)?
This research project is split between Water Quality and Management (201) and Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives (307). Because much of the emphasis of the research is on providing a reliable, safe water supply for irrigation, livestock and domestic uses, sixty (60) percent of the effort is assigned to the water supply component of the Water Quality and Management program. It is imperative that adequate water is provided for all agricultural programs its workers; therefore, this renewable energy research for pumping water is attached to the national research program on water. The Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives national research program includes a component of Energy Alternatives for Rural Activities. These practices include wind, solar, and biofuels for on-farm electric generation where rural electric distribution systems are not available or where they are overloaded. Forty (40) percent of this research project is assigned to this national program.
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year?
A. Single Most Significant Accomplishment during FY 2000 year: Water pumping wind systems utilize a controller to connect the pump motor when sufficient electricity is being generated. Previous controllers disconnected the pump motor or load when the wind speed was high and too much electricity was being generated and the pump was turning too fast. In the off-line condition, many wind systems rotate too fast which makes the machine noisy and the high rotor speed can lead to catastrophic failure. Several controllers with dump loads were tested on water pumping systems ranging from 50 Watt to 10 kilowatt. The application of a dump load by the controller was shown to be a very simple way of keeping the wind turbine from over speeding which should increase the lifetime of the wind turbine and reduce the noise dramatically. This improved controller makes wind electric-water pumping systems more attractive regardless of whether a 50 Watt or 10 kilowatt wind turbine is needed. B.
Other Significant Accomplishment(s), if any: (1) The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI), West Texas A&M University designed a controller for an ultraviolet (UV) water purifier system using solar, wind, or a hybrid of solar and wind to power the system. The original UV system was powered by utility power and could not be operated independent of the utility. Usually, people who do not have access to clean-safe water do not access to utility grade electricity. The configuration of the charging system includes a 100 Watt solar panel, a 300 W, 400 W, or 600 W wind turbine, and a single deep cycle battery. Initial studies showed that the solar powered system produced 4330 liters/day of purified water, the wind only system produced 3840 liters/day, and the hybrid system 8000 liters/day. Tests with the 600 W wind turbine increased the purified water by about 20% more than the solar system. A main difference is operation for 15 hr with the larger wind turbine rather than 7.5 hr with the
smaller wind turbines. (2) Much of the world needs a stand-alone (no utility intertie) wind system to pump water for domestic uses, watering livestock, or small scale irrigation. A 2 kW wind-electric system was tested cooperatively by the Alternative Energy Institute and ARS for its ability to pump water. A maximum system efficiency of 17% was reached with this system which was almost double what a comparable 1.5 kW wind-electric system had attained. This wind system started pumping water at 9 mph compared to a previous cut-in wind speed of 11 mph for the 1.5 kW system. The higher efficiency and lower cut-in wind speed implied that a wind-electric system should be able to perform as well as a mechanical windmill in a region with low wind speeds. C. Significant Accomplishments/Activities that Support Special Target Populations: The ultraviolet water purifier system is targeted to disadvantaged population groups. The system is designed as highly portable and can be easily
transported in a pick-up truck.
5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project including their predicted or actual impact.
Water pumping wind systems utilize a controller to connect the pump motor when sufficient electricity is being generated. Previous controllers disconnected the pump motor or load when the wind speed was high and too much electricity was being generated and the pump was turning too fast. In the off-line condition, many wind systems rotate too fast which makes the machine noisy and the high rotor speed can lead to catastrophic failure. Several controllers with dump loads were tested on water pumping systems ranging from 50 Watt to 10 kilowatt. The application of a dump load by the controller was shown to be a very simple way of keeping the wind turbine from over speeding which should increase the lifetime of the wind turbine and reduce the noise dramatically. This improved controller makes wind electric-water pumping systems more attractive regardless of whether a 50 Watt or 10 kilowatt wind turbine is needed.
6. What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years?
FY-2001 - The UV water purification system will be operated as a hybrid systems using the 100 Watt solar DC system/600 Watt wind turbine to see if it can be operated 24 hours/day. The volume of water pumped will be determined as well as the reliability of other equipment under continuous operation. The new ARS/AEI wind turbine controller will be tested on the 10 kW Bergey Excel wind turbine. The resistive/capacitive dump load will be varied to determine the optimum levels to keep the turbine online without damage to the generator. Additional tests will be conducted at two blade pitch settings to determine the influence of furling. Baseline data on Bergey 850 will be collected with the latest ARS/AEI controller to determine the level of improved performance with new controller. Additional tests will be conducted with different length and shape of blades and opposite blade rotations to determine the effects of rotor blades on furling. High speed data will be collected at wind
speeds above 9 m/s. FY-2002 - Purchase a new 1 kW wind turbine when a water pumping version is ready. Expected availability date is spring 2002. Continue testing the 10 kW Bergey Excel wind turbine with other types of electric pumps. We would like to replace the batteries on the UV water purification system with hydrogen fuel cell. This project is scheduled to close at the end of FY-2002.
7. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints if known, to the adoption & durability of the technology product?
Presented a seminar at the TREIA (Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association) annual meeting in Nov 1999 on wind energy with a segment on wind water pumping and new methods of electric to electric water pumping. Presented a three-day seminar on small wind turbines for Kyocera Solar, Scottsdale, AZ, in February 2000. This international seminar was focused on planning, sizing, installation, operation and maintenance, and energetics of small wind and hybrid systems on non-grid connected systems. Provided information on wind hybrid systems for international conference 'Wind Power for the 21st Century' in the Netherlands. Mr. Starcher will be a panelist for the session on hybrid systems. The wind energy team conducted numerous tours for schools, producers, ranchers, and energy specialist during the reporting period. Some of the more notable groups were from China who were interested in developing and manufacturing wind turbines for rural markets in Asia, a group of county extension
agents, and international scientist working in integrated cropping and livestock systems. Since two of the projects were sponsored in part by manufacturers, we visited with them often, relating preliminary results and issues about configurations that affected performance. These interchanges with manufacturers help to keep unreliable products from being offered for sale before being fully tested and performance verified.
8. List your most important publications in the popular press (no abstracts) and presentations to non-scientific organizations and articles written about your work (NOTE: this does not replace your peer-reviewed publications which are listed below)
None.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Vick, B.D., Clark, R.N., Ling, S., Starcher, K., Parpia, I. Development and testing of a 2-kilowatt wind turbine for water pumping. Collection of the 2000 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Wind Energy Symposium Technical Papers at the 38th American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. 2000. AIAA Paper No. 2000-0071. p. 328-338.
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