Performance evaluation of a wind power-augmented device on an onsite exhaust air energy recovery wind turbine

This paper presents an idea on generating green energy by extracting discharged wind energy from a cooling tower. Two vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) integrated with a wind power-augmentation device are installed above a cooling tower to harness unnatural wind for electricity generation. The wind power-augmentation device is built with several guide-vanes and diffuser-plates to improve the performance of the VAWTs. Guide-vanes are designed to create a venturi effect and guide the on-coming wind stream to an optimum flow angle which is matched to the optimum angle of attack of the VAWTs. Diffuser-plates are tilted at an optimum angle to draw more wind and accelerate the discharged airflow. From the laboratory test, the VAWTs performance was increased by 7 - 8% when guide-vanes and diffuser-plates are installed at their optimum angle. The correct matching of VAWTs for this system is expected to generate electricity at their rated power constantly when the cooling tower is in operation. This system can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases emission and conservation of the environment for a healthier life since fossil fuel consumption for energy generation is reduced as well as efficient use of energy. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.