Design and Simulation of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine for Urban Environment

This work presents the modelling of a small-scale vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), designed to integrate wind-based power generation into an urban environment and reduce grid reliance. The turbulent and lowwind speeds characteristic of the built environment were taken into consideration. The selection of rotor type and airfoil was done taking cost into consideration; the Darrieus, straight-bladed H-rotor, being a lift-type device, was selected for its conversion efficiency, and the symmetrical, noncambered NACA0021 airfoil to aid in the starting torque of the turbine.