A Critical Review of MAGLEV-Based Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Towards Frictionless Wind Energy
A Critical Review of MAGLEV-Based Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Towards Frictionless Wind Energy
Rushikesh Goge1, Ruchita Chaudhari1, Harshada Salunke1, Devang Shelke1, R R Jadhao1
1Mechanical Engineering & PCET's Nutan Maharashtra Institute of Engineering and Technology, Pune
---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - The global imperative for clean, sustainable energy alternatives has intensified significantly in response to accelerated depletion of traditional fossil fuels and compounding environmental degradation. Within urban ecosystems characterized by highly complex, turbulent, and multi-directional wind flows, microgeneration frameworks utilizing Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) offer immense potential due to their omnidirectional capture capabilities. However, conventional VAWT configurations are inherently limited by mechanical friction losses originating from traditional ball and roller bearing assemblies, which fundamentally undermine kinetic efficiency and elevate start-up thresholds. This critical review examines the integration of Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) technology as a trans-formative paradigm for structural suspension, completely eliminating mechanical contact surfaces. Leveraging high-grade permanent magnets (specifically Neodymium, NdFeB) alongside active control configurations, MAGLEV-VAWT architectures drastically lower cut-in wind velocities, minimize maintenance overhead, and optimize acoustic profiles for densely populated urban centers. This study comparatively evaluates distinct rotor morphology including Savonius, Darrieus, helical, and hybrid variants while identifying existing research frontiers, architectural constraints, and the integration of predictive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and artificial intelligence for future smart city deployment
Key Words: Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV), VAWT, Omnidirectional, Frictionless Energy, Urban Wind Harvesting, Neodymium Magnets.