The results achieved for the research objectives of the Soweto Wind Turbine project were very encouraging. During comparison of prototype energy delivered versus time of day/month, results showed the energy production of Prototypes 1, 2 and 3 per month during operation at Soweto. It was observed that Prototype 3 outclassed Prototype 1 and 2 in terms of energy generated per month. Prototype 3 achieved 39.5 W output per wind speed of 1.17 m/s and was predicated to generate a maximum 40 kWh per month. Following information can be found in my recent published article, Implementation and Evaluation of a Low Speed and Self-Regulating Small Wind Turbine for Urban Areas in South Africa published at Engineering, Technology and Applied Science Research [ETASR] peer review open journal.  This paper will present results on a predictive study which was subsequently done on implementing the same technology in the coastal regions of South Africa such as Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), where prevailing winds are much stronger.  The results showed that, utilizing the empirically obtained data in Soweto, projected an energy output of up to 54.3 W per wind speed of 5.16 m/s (18.6 km/h) and up to 100 kWh per-month.

Until recently, lead-acid batteries were the go-to source for storing energy for UPS/Inverter applications. The most common types of batteries used in wind applications are Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid batteries (VLRAs). But, lead-acid batteries have drawbacks that make them risky and expensive to use in wind turbine applications. They are the element that is most likely to fail at the moment when they are most needed. It is hard enough to deploy and manage lead-acid batteries traditionally. But when VRLAs are used in remote facilities, there are some problems that increase the effort and the cost of using them. Currently, the Soweto Small Wind Turbine is incorporated with the Vertiv (Inverter) and VRLA battery type. TP 100 Vision lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer substantial advantages. This battery system is ideal for both UPS/Inverters and energy storage systems, offering excellent compatibility and a secure, durable lifespan. Factory testing was carried out on the installation and testing of a TP 100 Vision battery to a Vertiv-type UPS at a South African company. A variable resistive load bank was added to the UPS output in order to test and evaluate the outcome. This paper presents the factory testing results and proposes the implementation of the TP100 Vision battery to a 500W Small Wind Turbine (SWT) in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.

A low-cost small 500W wind generator was used as a basis for the prototype development. The research was primarily focused on the determination of the type of aerofoil for improved rotor blades and pitch angle, and for adapting the number of blades in order to optimize the power output from the prototype, for low wind-speed inland conditions in Soweto. NACA-4412 type aerofoil was chosen as a departure point for the blade design, and a variation of the maximum pitch angle of 6°, 10°, and 12° at an optimum angle of attack of 5°, 7°, and 9° were implemented respectively for Designs 1, 2 and 3. With the Soweto area having an average wind speed of 2.3m/s (8.28km/h), 3-, 5-, and 7-blade sets were subsequently developed, implemented, and tested. Prototype 1 produced a maximum output power of 8.2W at 4.2km/h wind speed. Prototype 2 yielded a maximum output power of 12.5W at 4.2km/h, and Prototype 3, generated a very useful power output of 39.5W during testing. The maximum power output was achieved at an average wind speed of 1.17m/s (4.2km/h). Moreover, the developed prototype designs were also tested for self-regulation in case of high-speed gust conditions. Prototype 3, with a 12° maximum pitch angle during operation in high gust conditions, had its blades control high speed. A drawback pressure occurred on the back side of the blades and tangent drag was developed normally to the blade rotation direction, consequently limiting the maximum speed of the rotor and acting as a self-regulation mechanism with regard to maximum achievable speed. The other two designs suffered from over-speeding tendencies in high gust speed conditions, also causing noise and turbulence.