Specifications

Permission Pending

Some feel that open field testing is the only true way to test the performance of a micro

wind turbine, stating that other testing leaves room for the data to be unrealistic if it is

only tested under optimal conditions. However to accurately test the results more testing

methods will be needed in order to compare results from different tests.

The next testing method that will be looked at will be the rpm gauge to see what kind of

energy is generated by subjecting the turbine to various degrees of rpm speeds and

measuring what kind of results are delivered. In order to accurately measure how many

rpms are being subjected to the turbine a drill or rated motor will need to be utilized so

that the turbine can be accelerated up to a pre-determined rpm rotational speed and

kept at that rotational speed long enough to obtain an accurate measurement of the

energy produced. This will need to be reproduced multiple times at different rotational

speeds and the results compared to one another as well as the rated values. The

following image shows how such a test can be implemented using a drill and an

automobile transmission as an example.

Figure 66 – RPM Testing Method

Permission Pending

Since this test will be the most accurate way of determining what kind of energy will be

produced at a certain rpm speed the collected data could be used to compare the

actual performance of the turbine with the rated values of the turbine supplied by the

manufacturer.

The last and final testing method that will be researched will be the automobile

approach. As previously stated this will entail mounting the turbine atop of a moving

automobile and using the speed of the car at various speeds to simulate wind speed

moving across the blades of the wind turbine. In order for this kind of testing to work a

place of relatively dead air space will be needed so that the wind speeds from outside

breezes will not interfere with the testing data. Most likely the most ideal situation will be

to utilize parking garages when they are not in use so as the testing does not interfere

with normal traffic activity.