Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

Wind energy has already been in use in several countries as an alternative power source

to fossil fuels due to its clean and environmental friendly effects. Wind farms have been built in

appropriate places where the wind supply and velocity is constant. The kinetic energy of the

wind is converted to electricity through the use of wind turbines. Different types of wind turbines

have been used depending on the geographical location of the wind farm, amount of electricity

needed, wind direction and wind velocity.

At the present, there are two types used and these are horizontal and vertical. In terms of

efficiency, the horizontal wind turbine is much preferred although the wind direction is only

confined to one source. However, the vertical wind turbine can be more advantageous than the

other because it can be applied to suit any wind direction.

Although efficient and can be readily harnessed, this renewable energy also poses a

number of disadvantages. First, wind farms are always situated at coastal areas where the winds

are strongest. The building and setting of transmission and distribution lines from these places to

the residential areas can be expensive. Maintenance of these lines itself adds to the cost.

Because of this, designers and engineers conducted numerous researches about the

portability of a wind turbine and whether it can be drawn to a small scale for use in urban areas

or in a simple home. It is expected that the amount of power drawn from a portable wind turbine
is much smaller compared to industrial ones. Energy harnessed from portable wind turbines can

be used to charge electronic devices such as cellular phones, tablets and laptop computers.

Again, the problem of transmission of power through a portable wind turbine needs to be

addressed. To function properly and normally, the aforementioned electronic devices require

electricity which is to be stored in their batteries. In realizing this, the user must always bring a

charger to an available AC power source or a power bank. The numerous amount of wires used

and electricity consumed can lead more to the production of hydrocarbons and greenhouse gases

which are harmful to the environment. To minimize the use of wires, a wireless power transfer

must be established.

In general, a wireless power transfer (WPT) system consists of a transmitter and a

receiver. The transmitter converts the electrical current obtained from a stable power source into

an electromagnetic field. The receiver then identifies this field and converts it back to electricity

which can be directly used by a device or stored in a battery.

There are two types of WPT system and these are radiative and non-radiative. The

radiative type uses radio or microwave frequency signals. Although desirable when used for long

distances, it has also certain disadvantages. Obstructions should not be present between the

transmitter and its receiver and radiation emitted by this system can be harmful. On the other

hand, non radiative uses inductive coupling. This consists of two inductors acting both as

transmitter and receiver. This can only be used for short ranges but recent developments like the

highly resonant WPT system is used for mid to long range. The presence of obstacles is not a

problem for the non-radiative type.

 Roughly, the success of employing a WPT system depends on the distance between the

transmitter and receiver, the type of WPT used and the stability of the power source.

This study will now focus on the feasibility of designing a portable wind turbine as a

power source with a wireless power transfer system as its mode of transmission
Theoretical Framework

The main output of this study will be the design of a horizontal wind turbine with a

highly resonant wireless power system as its mode of transmission. This will include the

following qualitative and quantitative variables:

1. Wind Source and Direction

The wind source can come from one direction only and the velocity of the wind coming

from this source will be kept constant at all times.

2. Distance between transmitter and receiver

The distance between the transmitter and receiver for the highly resonant WPT system

will be determined. The minimum and maximum distances will be measured. The optimum

distance for power transfer will also be obtained.

3. Type of material used for the wind turbine

The material used for the wind turbine will have a significant effect on the power to be

obtained.

Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

Design of horizontal wind
turbine
Design of highly resonant
WPT system to be
incorporated in the wind
turbine
Analysis of the source of wind Optimal amount of electricity
flow and velocity and its to be generated
environment
Analysis of the optimal
distance required
Statement of the Problem

The study will focus on the following general and specific problems:

1. General Problem

How to produce the optimal amount of electricity by determining the following variables:

a. By using a horizontal wind turbine, what will be its design, specifications and the type

of material to be used?

b. In the design of the wind turbine, how can a highly resonant wireless power transfer

can be incorporated or introduced?

2. Specific Objectives

a. How to minimize the electrical losses in the wireless power transfer system?

b. How to analyze and determine the optimal velocity from the wind

source?

Hypothesis of the Study

This study will focus on the following hypotheses:

1. Electricity can be transmitted through a wireless power transfer system using a portable wind

turbine as its power source.

2. Electricity can be transmitted within a specific distance between the transmitter and the

receiver.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study

Since this will only be a feasibility study, the scope will center on the ability of the

combined wind turbine and wireless power transfer system to transmit electricity. This study will

only employ the design of a horizontal wind turbine and a high resonant inductive coupling as its

wireless power transfer system.

Assumption of the Study

The study will contain the following assumptions:

1. Electrical energy will come from the wind turbine’s conversion of kinetic energy.

2. The transmission of electricity using a wireless power transfer system will depend largely on

the distance between transmitter and receiver.

3. The transmitter will be incorporated inside the wind turbine.

4. There will be electrical losses between the transmitter and receiver meaning not all electricity

to be transmitted will be received.

5. There will be a required wind velocity from the wind source.

Significance of the Study

This study along with related researches can pave the way for more curiosity and interest

on the field. More focus will be attributed on the use of wind turbine as an alternative source.

Developments on wireless power system can be increased the capacity and ability of its mode of

transmission be further improved.