Design and development of a vertical axis wind turbine for slip stream energy harvesting

Zimbabwe has over the last decade witnessed a steady surge with regards to the demand of electric vehicles (EVs), and on the global scale as well, this has highlighted the need for innovative charging solutions. These innovative solutions are required more in the developing nations, which historically have depicted insufficient infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of EVs. The major challenges which have been observed have been the high ratio of EVs as compared to the available charging pots, the erratic nature as well as inadequacy of electricity as well as the heavy reliance by developing nations on fossil-based fuels for the generation of electricity. The factor associated with fossil-based fuels thus diminish the environmental benefits that are synonymous with EVs which include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research sought to address these highlighted challenges by designing a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) and integrating it with a charging station which then harnesses electricity from the slipstream associated with passing vehicles. This action thus effectively converts the nation’s highways into renewable energy sources. The evaluation process of the design involved the analysis of aerodynamical forces, estimation of power generation potential, an assessment of operational loads, conducting Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis and prototyping the system to demonstrate its practicability and potential scalability. The results of the research demonstrated the feasibility of implementing VAWTs along highways so as to provide a sustainable and decentralised power supply for EV charging stations, thus offering a much promising solution for the adoption of EVs in Zimbabwe.