Pros and Cons of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

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Pros and Cons of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

There are two designs of wind turbines; that is the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWTs) and the horizontal axis wind turbine. (HAWTs) Both have certain plus points and drawbacks. Some parameters should be analysed before a turbine is chosen and stationed.

The vertical axis wind turbines have a simple and compact design and are preferred by the city dwellers. They have many advantages for being used in cities.  Thus before installing this vertical axis wind turbine, one should have profound knowledge associated with it. Only after careful analysis of the pros and cons, this turbine can be stationed.Pros and Cons of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Some Advantages of Vertical Wind Turbines

Pros

  • More of these types of turbines are installed in the lower altitude. Many of them can be installed in the same area as they remain unperturbed by the blowing wind. The orientation of the vertical wind turbine makes the maintenance work easier as the entire shaft can turn making it possible to install the generator at the ground level.
  • For the initiation of Vertical wind Turbines, facing the wind is not needed.
  • These turbines are manufactured and designed in a way to withstand rough wind. Since facing the wind is not required, these turbines do not possess a tail section.
  • They can be set up at ground level as too much of wind is not required to produce power. This arrangement of the turbine makes them a silent rotator.
  • These turbines entail low prices for maintenance and fitting since raised height of towers are not needed.
  • The vertical wind turbine operates well regardless of the wind direction . Hence is is suited in areas where there are tall buildings.
  • Since the vertical axis wind turbines operate successfully regardless of the wind direction, they have a simple design compared to the horizontal axis turbines in which stress develops due to the gyroscopic action of the rotating blades as the yaw mechanism tries to catch the wind, This stress ultimately cracks the blades.
  • These turbines are more compact and can be placed even on building tops and other areas with fewer restrictions.

Some Disadvantages of the Vertical Wind Generator Design

Cons

  •  The design of vertical wind turbines may be able to withstand rough weather but they have a higher chance to stop rotating and fall out.
  • These types of turbines aren’t typically well suited for areas where there are strong winds.
  •  The design of these turbines is such that they can only be used in areas of low wind speeds and that is near the ground. Higher altitude experiences turbulent winds which these turbines cannot withstand The blades break due to the high centrifugal force developed in the rotor assembly by strong winds.

Thus it is seen that the vertical axis wind turbines have a host of merits and are popular for small scale and residential installations due to its compact size. Vertical axis wind turbines are preferred by inhabitants of a city.

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