1.4.1 Renewable Energy
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Below is a link to all relevant Engineering Notebook pagesGroup Members: T.J. Manning and Jacob Wellnitz
POE, Mr. Boehm, Verona Area High School, |
This project involved my partner and I to design a circuit system to light several LEDs of red and amber color. We had to properly use equations and methods to select a proper power source as well as the type of circuit (series, parallel, or series parallel).
Design BreifOur team will design and create a renewable electrical energy generating and distribution system that utilizes wind, solar electric, and fuel cell energy conversion systems. Successful system design will demonstrate strategic power generation and distribution to meet the demand of both residential and industrial consumers. System design effectiveness will be based on the total number of successfully supplied industrial and residential consumers during a simulated 24 hour electrical energy demand cycle.
ResearchWe researched the voltage, current, and resistance required to turn on both a red and yellow LED. Based on the research, we concluded that the Yellow LED’s would be harder to turn on because of the larger voltage requirements needed.
BrainstormingThe plan from the start was to somehow build a windmill and incorporate that with a solar panel in a series circuit to power LEDs. The common circuit designs are made as well.
Design MatrixFinal SolutionThe final solution was a combination of the best tests and mechanics that were discovered throughout the process. It included the best chain and sprocket mechanism, best circuits (series parallel), and the best generators (solar panel [while the solar panel is not present in the picture, it was still in the final design] and windmill/motor). It was able to sustain the required 6 minutes for all of all the LEDs. This makes the system very beneficial to use and completely renewable, given that the machine is placed in a windy field.
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ConstraintsSimulated 24 hour electrical energy demand cycle – 1 hour is represented by 15 seconds
Allowable electrical energy generation devices (2) Solar cells (teacher-provided) (2) Fuel cells (teacher-provided) Turbine(s) (student-created) The turbine (e.g. wind, tidal, or geothermal) operation will be simulated using a VEX 393 motor. The turbine can be simulated by using any size gear or wheel in the VEX kit, and turned using your hand. No cranks or further mechanical advantage should be attained to prevent damage to the motor or other VEX parts. More speed can be created by transferring motion from a bigger gear connected to a smaller gear attached to the VEX motor System dimensions may not exceed 22 in. by 15 in. by 18 in. high. LEDs must be wired in two individual banks – one representing industrial demand and the other representing residential demand. LEDs within the banks must be wired in series and require a 330 Ω resistor. ReflectionThis project went very well. We properly researched each method of circuitry and selected well crafted designs to follow through with. I think that this project was done very well and there is not much I would change about the results and the outcomes. I am very proud of this project.
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