Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kamal Sarkar, University of Texas, Pan American; Robert A. Freeman, University of Texas, Pan American; Dean Schneider, Texas Engineering Experiment Station; Ken Starcher, West Texas A&M University; Pam Groce, Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

commercially available parts.None of the authors were involved in manufacturing the turbine. A total of 22 students, 14 boysand 8 girls, participated in this program. The team had a Team Leader, a girl, and four TeamCaptains. The team was trained by one of the authors on all science and engineering aspects ofwind turbine. Another author trained them in blade carving and aerodynamics. One of theteachers from the high school kept a watchful eye for day to day activities of the students, mostlyfor safety reasons. Hugh Piggott’s book on the subject was given to the students as a guideline.Final product was a 30’ tall tower with three 8’ diameter pine wood turbine and 12 NeodymiumIron Boron permanent magnets. The system also included 1200 Watt Whistler