Open AccessSustainable design of the GUST small wind turbine
Author(s) -
Karol Zawadzki,
Anna Baszczyńska,
Małgorzata Stępień,
Angela Fliszewska,
Szymon Molenda,
Marcin Pisarski
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1002/1/012003
Subject(s) - turbine , modular design , wind power , production (economics) , sustainability , rapid prototyping , unit (ring theory) , product (mathematics) , environmental economics , engineering , computer science , manufacturing engineering , mechanical engineering , economics , ecology , mathematics education , mathematics , geometry , biology , electrical engineering , macroeconomics , operating system
One of the increasingly important criteria, when constructing a Small Wind Turbine (SWT), is its sustainable design. It means constructing the SWT in such a way that it can provide a cheap, easy and safe access to clean energy at a specific location for predicted number of consumers. This paper highlights three issues. First, benefits from the application of the rapid prototyping technology are discussed. 3D printers can be used as a durable and relatively cheap means of SWT components production. Also, the possibility of using recycled plastic for 3D-printed components is of big importance. Secondly, the modular construction of the small wind turbine is outlined. This facilitates the product versatility, proneness to adjustments and ease of maintenance. Last but not least, the production costs for individual units as well as multi-unit production are reviewed to show the financial benefits of SWTs and the payback of such investments over the years. The article concludes with a set of recommendations for wind turbine design, conformal with the suggestions of the UN Sustainability Report and Sustainable Development Goal 7.1. The utilization of described concepts is demonstrated basing on the GUST 1.6 m diameter horizontal axis SWT.