Design and Fabrication of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with Power Conversion System

Abstract

This project presents the design and fabrication of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) integrated with a power conversion and monitoring system aimed at harnessing renewable wind energy for practical use in small-scale and off-grid environments. The system is engineered around a vertical axis turbine that rotates a free DC motor, effectively converting mechanical wind energy into electrical energy. The generated power is stored in a rechargeable battery bank, providing a reliable energy reservoir. To efficiently utilize the stored energy, a buck converter is employed to step down the battery voltage (16V) to 5V and 12V. The 5V output powers the NodeMCU microcontroller and a 16x2 LCD display, which continuously displays the real-time voltage of the battery using data from a voltage sensing circuit. The 12V output is fed into an inverter module that converts DC to 220V AC, allowing the system to power conventional AC loads such as an electric bulb. Manual switches and indicators are included for user control and system status feedback. This smart energy conversion system combines mechanical design with IoT-based electronics to offer a compact, eco-friendly, and intelligent solution for decentralized power generation. The entire setup is mounted on a fabricated frame using sunboard and other structural elements to ensure lightweight construction and portability. The project demonstrates the potential of integrating renewable energy with smart monitoring for sustainable power generation, particularly in remote, disaster-prone, or under-electrified areas