Title :
Flow-generated power for autonomous instruments
Author :
DiMassa, Diane E. ; Morrison, A.T., III ; Piskura, Jacob
Author_Institution :
Mech. Eng., Univ. of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth, MA, USA
Abstract :
A small vertical axis wind turbine was tested in highly variable winds at various locations of the Antarctic. The turbine system was designed to stand close to an ice surface (0.5m, within the boundary layer, and in a turbulent regime), to survive the harsh conditions of deep field Antarctica, to function independent of wind direction, and to provide data on wind speed and power generation. The goal of the experiment was to evaluate the potential of using fluid flow, in this case wind, to charge batteries and/or to generate power for small autonomous instruments. Similar systems can be design to convert the energy in ocean currents into useful electrical power to support underwater instrumentation. Preliminary results indicate a promising technology for future underwater systems.
Keywords :
boundary layer turbulence; geophysical fluid dynamics; oceanographic equipment; oceanographic techniques; sea ice; wind; wind power; wind turbines; 0.5 m; Antarctic region; autonomous instruments; boundary layer; charge batteries; deep field Antarctica; electrical power; flow-generated power; fluid flow; ice surface; ocean currents; power generation; small vertical axis wind turbine; turbine system; turbulent regime; underwater instrumentation; variable winds; wind speed; Antarctica; Batteries; Fluid flow; Ice surface; Instruments; Testing; Wind energy generation; Wind power generation; Wind speed; Wind turbines;
Conference_Titel :
Current Measurement Technology, 2003. Proceedings of the IEEE/OES Seventh Working Conference on
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7813-X
DOI :
10.1109/CCM.2003.1194329
