Aim / Objective:
To demonstrate how wind energy produced by fast-moving vehicles on highways can be captured using a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) to generate electricity.
Materials Required:
- Cardboard or wooden base (to represent the road/highway)
- Vertical axis wind turbine (can be made using plastic bottles, blades, or spoons)
- Small DC motor (3V–12V)
- LED light or small bulb
- Connecting wires
- Toy vehicles or a fan (to simulate vehicle movement/wind)
- Glue gun or strong adhesive
- Tape, scissors, and markers (for design)
Working Principle:
This model works on the principle of energy conversion — converting kinetic energy from the air displaced by moving vehicles into mechanical energy of a rotating turbine, which the DC motor then converts into electrical energy.
The vertical axis turbine rotates regardless of wind direction, making it ideal for roadside setups where vehicles move in both directions.
Procedure:
- Prepare the highway base using cardboard and paint lanes to represent a real road.
- Fix the vertical axis turbine at the side or middle of the highway setup.
- Attach the turbine shaft to a DC motor so that when the turbine spins, the motor also rotates.
- Connect the motor terminals to an LED bulb using wires.
- Use a fan or toy cars moving on the highway to simulate vehicle motion and wind pressure.
- Observe how the turbine rotates and lights up the LED bulb.
Observation:
When air from a fan or moving vehicles strikes the vertical blades, the turbine spins continuously.
The rotating turbine powers the DC motor, generating electricity that lights the LED.
This demonstrates that moving traffic can be a source of renewable wind energy.
Conclusion:
The model proves that wind energy generated from vehicle motion on highways can be effectively utilized to produce electricity.
Such systems can be used to power streetlights, traffic signals, or charge batteries, contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions.