Towards net zero carbon buildings through urban wind turbines integration

Staffordshire Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Engineering

This project aims to reach a methodology for successful integration of wind turbines in building to be self-sufficient in terms of energy.

This research investigates the potential contribution of urban wind turbines as a renewable source of energy for buildings to be carbon neutral. It aims to propose a methodology for successful integration of wind turbines in building to reach self-sufficiency in terms of energy. To reach the aim of this research, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation will be implemented to study wind flow around a case study (the Science Centre at Staffordshire University) to assess the optimum mounting location/s for wind turbines.

The results will be compared to the location of the existing installed wind turbine on the Science Centre roof to confirm if this is the optimum mounting location or a new mounting location/s would be proposed for better energy yield. In-situ measurements will be recorded and compared to simulation results for validation purposes.

Manufacturers of the latest models of roof mounted wind turbines will be contacted to examine the proposed methodology through installing their turbines in the proposed mounting locations. Energy yield from the installed wind turbine/s will be monitored and analysed to conclude with the contribution of urban wind turbines to reducing the carbon footprint of the case study. Further investigation will include the potential of applying the methodology on a larger urban scale.