A critical review of vertical axis wind turbines for urban applications

Wind energy is one of the most promising renewable energy resources for power generation, and rapid growth has been seen in its acceptance since 2000. The most acceptable classification for wind turbines is by its axis of orientation: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT). HAWTs are used in many countries for medium-to-large scale power projects, and most commercial installations around the globe are solely based on these turbines. On the other hand, HAWTs are not recognized as a viable option to harness the energy of the wind in urban areas, where the wind is less intense, much more chaotic and turbulent. VAWTs are suggested as a better choice for cities and isolated semi-urban areas. Several attributes have been suggested for the large-scale deployment of VAWTs, e.g., good performance under the weak and unstable wind, no noise and safety concerns, and aesthetically sound for integration in urban areas. Significant research has been published on wind turbine technology and resources assessment methodologies, and this review paper is a modest attempt to highlight some of the major developments of VAWTs, with a focus on the integration with urban infrastructure. Several recommendations have been drawn based on the state-of-the-art information on the subject for future studies and acceptance of wind turbines in the urban areas. It was concluded that further research is critical in making VAWTs a viable, dependable, and affordable power generation technology for many low and decentralized power applications.