Increasing the efficiency of wind energy systems

Partner Institutes
Cambridge University	Air University

Project brief:

The Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) has admitted that the country is facing a massive electricity shortfall of 7200 MW, unparalleled in our history. With power plants shutting down across the country and the demand for power unmet by almost 40%, we need to turn to alternative energy sources to help us out of this crisis.

Wind energy is one such readily available option. Not only is it a renewable source of energy, it has a very low carbon footprint, an important consideration given the high levels of pollution in Pakistan. Globally, wind turbines generate about 2% of the entire electricity usage.

Air University, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, is developing a micro-machined sensor that would enable wind turbines to function more effectively. Such a sensor would be the world’s first, and would be of significant research, industrial and commercial value.

A design for the sensor has already been conceived and patent protected by the team of researchers from Cambridge University and Air University. During the last phase of this project, on-turbine tests are planned on a 20kW wind turbine, which is owned by Cambridge Wind Technology and is located next to the Whittle Lab at the University of Cambridge. As a result, it provides an ideal location for quickly and efficiently testing the sensor.

Through this partnership, Air University will be able to develop long-term research links with Cambridge. The faculty at Air University will benefit from the experience of the world’s best academics and researchers at Cambridge University. This will improve the overall teaching and research standards at Air University and increase awareness of its cutting-edge research projects that aim to transform the way we live.

Lessons learnt:

It is both exciting and challenging for the Pakistani team to work on an international collaboration project with a top class university like Cambridge.

Challenges faced:

Keeping the desired pace of the research activities has proved to be challenging. This is partly due to a difficulty in finding a suitable PhD student for this project which needed a niche research/educational background.

The impacts/benefits of the project:

• The project aims to produce the world's first fast-response micro-machined entropy sensor which, if successful, will allow the direct measurement of the performance of both gas and wind turbines.
• The sensors proposed in this project are and will be IP protected. Therefore, contingent upon their good performance, they can become commercial products. If that happens, both UK and Pakistan governments will benefit.
• The project will also facilitate the introduction of world-class engineering courses (adopted from Cambridge) at a nascent Pakistani university.
• The faculty members at Air University will learn and benefit from some of the world's best academics and researchers at Cambridge University. This interaction will bring about new ideas for collaborative research, improve teaching standards and develop the interpersonal and teaching/research skills of Air University faculty. Numerous Pakistani students will benefit from the presence of a more educated, experienced and internationally-linked faculty at Air University.

Key contacts:

Prof. Florin Udrea, University of Cambridge

fu@eng.cam.ac.uk, www.cam.ac.uk/

Dr. Ibraheem Haneef, Air University

Ibraheem.haneef@mail.au.edu.pk, www.au.edu.pk/