1. FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A DOMESTIC WIND TURBINE,
CHARGING STATION FOR AN ELECTRICAL CAR
Description Horizontal axis Vertical axis
Wind speed, u [m/s] 9.89 9.89
Efficiency, η [%] 59 42
Area, A [m²] 28.27 42.36
Power, P [kW] 10 10
WIND TURBINE COMPARISON
Advantages:
 Always aligned correctly to the wind.
 Low starting torque.
 Lower construction costs.
 Performs in turbulent winds.
 No yaw system needed.
Advantages:
 More efficient than vertical axis wind
turbines in commercial wind farms.
 Blade position can be changed for
optimum efficiency.
 Widely available on the domestic
market.
Horizontal axis wind turbine Vertical axis wind turbine
Wind turbine
€20,000
10kW
Charging station
free
16A, 220V
Nissan leaf
24kWh Li-ion
battery
€21,490
66.2Ah, 364.8v
Inverter
€1,389
4.2kW
Domestic dwelling
Single phase
220V
National grid
220V
Sell or store?
Battery Bank(2)
€12,100
7500Ah
Interval meter
Free
Domestic wind power charging station system
Abstract: Since 2008 energy prices have risen by 49.6%. This has led to alternative transport options been considered. To shel-
ter electric cars from increasing electricity costs, the alternative is to generate electricity from a domestic wind turbine.
Attention was given to the vertical axis wind turbine because it can perform better in turbulent winds and has lower starting
torque. Vertical axis wind turbines are 17% less efficient to their counterpart the horizontal axis. The area of the vertical axis can
be increased to match the power output of the horizontal axis, while still complying with the planning exemptions.
The Nissan Leaf is the best suited electric car for a domestic situation after price and battery life was considered. By the end of
2013, there was over 100,000 models sold worldwide. There is a 10 year payback period on the domestic wind turbine charging
station system. The payback period is going to decrease over time due to rising fuel costs. As technology becomes more ad-
vanced, the overall price will reduce for the domestic wind powered charging station system.
STUDENT NAMES: SUPERVISOR: GROUP NAME: COURSE TITLE:
Stephen Murray Mr. Eoin Ward Mercury
Kevin Molloy
Conor Ryan
Jonathan Fergus DATE: 29/04/2014
Bachelor in Engineering (Ord.) in Mechanical
Engineering and Renewable energy
Payback as electrical prices increase
Conclusion: The vertical axis wind turbine charging station is viable while complying with planning exemptions. Assuming there is
a wind speed of 9m/s, for 7 hours a day or, a lower wind speed for a longer period throughout the day. This would be significant to
charge the Leaf. Electrical vehicle infrastructure in Ireland has improved due to EU sustainability targets. There will need for two
battery banks over the wind turbines twenty years life span, at a combined cost of €12,100. It is more economic to store the excess
electricity in battery banks rather than sell back to the electrical grid at €0.09/kWh. Projecting into the future, the 10 year payback
period will reduce, due to rising fuel and electricity costs. The system costs will reduce as the technology advances and becomes
more available.
Economics: (Wind powered charging station vs. Diesel engine)
 Save €916.69 per year with domestic wind energy as opposed
to diesel.
 Domestic wind energy is €0.0667/kWh.
 Nissan leaf running costs €0.044/km.
 Toyota Corolla (30mpg) running costs €0.121/km.
 System has a 10-11 years payback.
Ireland’s electric energy is supplied from 82% imported fossil fu-
els, causing concern over energy security.
 Petrol increased by 61.6% since 2008
 Diesel increased by 56.3% since 2008
 Electricity increased by 31% since 2008