A novel vertical axis wind turbine project based on highway energy harvesting, submitted by students of UTAS-Ibri, has scooped the biggest honour at the recently concluded 4th Youth Research Forum hosted by Qatar University on the theme ‘The Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022: Challenges and Aspirations’. Contestants from all over the GCC presented their research studies and projects online via video conferencing.
The winning Omani research group is made up of students of Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering of UTAS-Ibri's Engineering Department. They are Abir Majid Saif al Maqbali, Aisha Mohammed Khalifa al Maqabaliy, Maryam Nasser Said al Hinai, Safa Abdullah Salim al Sakiti, and the Project Supervisor, Dr Sharmila Deve Venkatachalam.
The Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) harnesses the wind energy from moving vehicles and natural wind sources, which is converted to electrical energy and utilised to illuminate highways at night. The project was tested in the Wilayat of Ibri, where the optimal position and height of the wind turbine to harness the maximum wind power are analysed. A suitable wind turbine blade and its associated components were designed. Based on the analysed and designed values, the wind turbine power system was tested in real-time. The findings show that highways in the Wilayat of Ibri are ideal for the installation of wind turbines to harness the wind energy from moving vehicles and natural resources.
The innovation will help offset some of the CO2 emissions from heavy vehicles which are being operated in increasing numbers to transport all kinds of goods and commodities. By harnessing wind energy as they vehicles travel on Oman's highways, some of the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions associated with diesel-powered trucks can be mitigated.
Wind potential in the Sultanate of Oman is one of the promising and substantial alternatives to fossil fuel resources. Almost 4.4 per cent of the Omani territory offers potential for sustainable use of wind.
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