The Effect of Wind Speeds and Blades for Windmill Science Fair Projects

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine how blade design factors (length and pitch) will affect the energy produced by a windmill at various wind speeds.

I became interested in this idea when I went to Iowa last summer and observed the newly built wind turbines. I began wondering how different wind speeds would effect the output.

The information gained from this experiment will benefit society by producing a safer and more efficient way to create energy. Most current ways of producing energy also create pollution. Wind is a non-polluting energy source people may need in the future.

This also makes a great project for classrooms, science camps and groups. Check out the discount prices.

HYPOTHESIS

My first hypothesis is that a longer blade will produce more energy regardless of wind speed. My second hypothesis is that a blade with a pitch closer to 45 degrees will be more efficient than a higher or lower pitch blade. My third hypothesis is that lower wind speeds will create a lower energy output.

I base my first hypothesis on a statement in Encarta Encyclopedia that said, "in low wind environments longer blades produce more energy." I base my second hypothesis on the fact that a pitch of zero degrees will not producing any movement, which is also true for 90 degrees.  So, halfway in the middle (45 degrees) should produce the most energy. The third hypothesis is based on "common sense" and my observations that low winds create less energy than high wind speeds. 

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:

• The fan used to create wind
• The blades’ same surface area
• The model windmill
• The saw for cutting the wooden disks at various angles.
• The ruler used to measure the length and width of the blades
• The generator for creating electricity
• The multimeter used to measure the voltage

The manipulated variables were the low and high wind speeds, tested using three different blade lengths, and three different blade pitches.

The responding variable was how much electricity was produced using each blade.

To measure the responding variable a Craftsman auto-ranging digital multimeter was used to measure the voltage that each blade produced.

MATERIALS

Wind turbine experiment science fair projects concludes its report here...