Comparative Analysis: Wind Augmentation Device for Power Generation

This project analyzes a custom-constructed small-scale wind augmentation device with a wind-guide attachment to enhance wind power generation. The study investigates the effectiveness of a shroud and cone configuration in improving wind turbine output. The research design involves 3D printing the shroud with a cone, utilizing a miniature blower to simulate wind, and measuring inlet and outlet velocities using an anemometer. Theoretical power values are calculated, and statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics, including t-tests, is performed to compare power input and output. The project aims to determine if the cone's inclusion significantly impacts power efficiency and explores the optimal design for wind augmentation devices. The study emphasizes the importance of renewable energy sources and the potential of wind energy to combat global warming. The research considers assumptions, limitations, and the scope of the experimental setup, focusing on the impact of the cone's position within the wind tunnel on power output.

ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF A CUSTOM CONSTRUCTED SMALL-SCALE WIND
AUGEMNTATION DEVICE WITH A WIND-GUIDE ATTACHEMENT TO IMPROVE
WIND POWER GENERATION
(May 2017)
Bhavana Kashibhatla, B.Tech., JNTU
Chairman of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ulan Dakeev
Introductory Paragraph
Wind energy is as of now the quickest developing source of power generation in the world.
Researches have been utilizing the wind energy for a long time. The wind force is a reasonable,
productive and abundant source of domestic power. It is pollution free and cost-focused. Many
endeavors have been made till date in making the best use of the natural resources to generate
energy and wind energy is one of them. The present research, in regards to the improvement of a
wind power system with high yield, goes for deciding how to gather the wind energy production.
Background of the problem
Conventional energy sources and nonconventional energy sources are the two types of energy
sources available for power generation to the world. Because of the continuous price hikes,
global warming issues and the limited nature of the conventional energy sources like coal,
petroleum, natural gas, etc. has made the authors of this paper to suggest that nonconventional
energy sources like solar power generation, wind power generation, MHD power generation, fuel
cells, thermo-electric generation would be the best option to use as a source of power generation
in the future. From 3.5GW in 1994 to approximately 320GW of wind power production capacity

by the end of 2013 projects that there has been a tremendous improvement in the application of
wind energy over the last two decades.
Statement of the problem
An important motivating factor of this research is to use wind energy for power production is a
fact that wind energy is a nonpolluting component and environmentally friendly technique used
in generating power which does not emit carbon dioxide and any other toxic gasses compared to
fossil fuels or nuclear power generation. Though there are many projects which involve power
generation using wind energy the main concern is how to increase the output of the wind within
the tunnel.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to build and test a wind augmentation device that might improve
power generation of an experimental small-scale wind turbine. Testing of the wind turbine with
the shroud and a cone may allow the incoming airflow from the wind turbine for a greater output.
The performance of the shrouded wind turbine will be experimentally and numerically
investigated at various wind speeds as well as power output. Furthermore, the power output
parameter will be compared between shrouded wind turbine with a cone and a shrouded wind
turbine without a cone.
Significance of the study
The significance of this study was to investigate the optimal design for wind augmentation
devices to increase the power output at the outlet. Many countries are adapting renewable energy
to counteract the process of global warming. Among all the renewable energies wind is the
fastest-growing renewable energy source. Wind energy is actually a form of solar energy. Wind
energy will not produce greenhouse gas during conversion unlike with biomass.

Research Design
The shroud with 30-degree angle was selected as it delivers significantly improved performance
and power efficiency when compared to other shrouded wind augmentation devices with
different angles. The shroud with the cone will be 3D printed to investigate the change in wind
velocity between inlet and outlet. A miniature blower will be utilized to produce an artificial
wind in a closed environment. The inlet and outlet velocities are collected using anemometer.
The theoretical power values are calculated using the formula p= 1
2 ρav3 utilizing the input and
output velocities recorded individually. The obtained power is analyzed using a statistical
software called IBM SPSS Statistics. In SPSS, t-test analysis is performed to compare the power
input and power output, if there exists any significant difference between them.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical power values are calculated using the formula p= 1
2 ρav3. A cone was shaped
and constructed to allow the incoming air flow for greater output. The reason to adapt the conical
nose cone shape design considering their optimal performance output and ease of construction.
The obtained power is analyzed using a statistical software called IBM SPSS Statistics. In SPSS,
t-test analysis is performed to compare the power input and power output, if there exists any
significant difference between them.
Assumption, Limitations and Scope
The main assumption of this study is that the velocity at the outlet will be increased from the
inlet by inserting cone in the tunnel.
The location should be important because the properties and speeds of the wind must be exact in
order to accurately measure the wind velocities entering and exiting the wind tunnel.

The efficiency of a conventional wind turbine is limited. Therefore, a wind turbine system that
consists of a shroud with a cone was developed to overcome these weaknesses.
Definition of terms
Anemometer- An instrument for measuring the speed of the wind
Shroud- A cover around the wind tunnel.
Summary
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the optimal design for wind augmentation devices to
increase the power output at the outlet. Additionally a cone is introduced into wind tunnel to
investigate if there is a significant difference when the cone had been introduced. Furthermore, I
would like investigate by changing the distance of the cone in the tunnel would increase the
power efficiency or not.