Renewable Electrical Energy Generation and Distribution

Team Members: Buzz Anthony, Jack Stump, Cameron Fitzgerald, Jaclyn Little

Principles of Engineering course in the PLTW program, Period 2

Archbishop Spalding High School class of 2017

December 8, 2014
 Renewable Electrical Energy Design Brief

Client: Residential and Industrial consumers

Designers: Buzz Anthony, Jack Stump, Cameron Fitzgerald, Jaclyn Little

Problem Statement:
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.

Design Statement:
Design, model, and test different electrical schemes to provide the most energy for the industrial
and residential consumers throughout a 24 hour day.

Constraints:
(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 resistor
 Research Summary

Our group researched the voltage needed for LEDs to run well. We found that there is 1.9 Volts
needed for our high effiencent and low current red LED. There is 2.1 Volts needed for our green
LED lights. We also found that we need 15 mA for the LEDs to function well. Next our group
researched the Voltage output and Current output for each energy source, solar panel, "wind"
turbine, and the Hydrogen fuel cell. Our group found that the solar panel creates 2.5 Volts of
energy and 200 mA, the turbine creates 5 Volts of energy and 3.6 A, and the Hydrogen Fuel
Cell creates 0.9 Volts of energy and 100 mA of current. Our star group member, Cameron
Fitzgerald, researched how to put together a "wind" turbine and what would create the most
power. All this research helped our group configure a successful wiring schematic for the
project.
 References

1. Fully stocked LED lighting store with all the latest LED Products for home and business.
(n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.theledlight.com

2. Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.heliocentris.com

3. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/buildingturbine