Effect of blade layering on vertical axis wind turbine performance under low wind speed conditions

This study investigates how blade layering influences the performance of a proposed Savonius Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (SVAWT) tailored for low wind speed conditions. The proposed SVAWT is simple to construct using basic, locally available materials such as polyvinyl chloride pipes for blades and a recycled fan rotor as the generator. Experimental tests were conducted using single-layer and double-layer blade configurations, with blade diameters of 0.05 m (2”), 0.10 m (4”), and 0.15 m (6”). Both configurations used six arm blades per layer. Key performance metrics, including electrical power output and efficiency, were measured at wind speeds ranging from 4.8 m/s to 5.3 m/s. Results show that the double-layer configurations significantly improved energy capture and power output. The best performance was achieved with the 0.15 m (6”) six-blade double-layer setup, producing 7.3 W of electrical power and an efficiency of 10.3%. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed SVAWT generates higher power and efficiency as wind speed increases. Additionally, increasing the blade diameter and adopting a double-layer configuration further enhances the turbine’s ability to harness wind energy. Overall, the results highlight that blade layering is a crucial design factor for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of small-scale wind turbines in low wind speed areas.