Structural Design and Development of a Small-Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine for Urban Household Power Generation

Small-scale wind turbines are becoming increasingly important in renewable energy systems due to their ability to operate in low-wind-speed environments and adapt to various installation locations, especially in areas with energy shortages. This paper presents the design, analysis and development of a Helical Vertical Axis type Wind Turbine (H-VAWT) using uPVC pipe as the blade material, offering a lightweight, low-cost, and corrosion resistant solution. The blade structure is optimized for use in residential and off-grid areas with unstable wind conditions. Structural analysis is conducted in ANSYS, including static load analysis (deformation, equivalent stress, shear stress, maximum stress), torsional and bending stress, and modal analysis to assess mechanical performance and vibrational stability. Three blade designs are initially considered, and the helical model (0–45° twist) is selected based on simulation results. The prototype is successfully fabricated and tested under different wind speeds, showing effective power generation, with favorable results in power output, power coefficient, tip-speed ratio (TSR), and relative velocity.