Technology

Design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd
Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development
The technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form
Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved

Conclusion
Introduction
World-wide electricity use accounts for about 20 percent of electricity production in Denmark, 9 percent in Spain, and 7 in Germany. Wind power generation has more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006 (Alicia, 2007, p.16).Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current using an electrical generator. In windmills, a traditional technology, wind energy used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work e.g. crushing grain or pumping water.

The SOMA 1000 is a 1000 Watt wind generator suitable for battery charging in stand-alone power supply applications and for grid connection applications. It is desirable to reduce grid energy use-age, electricity bills and CO2 generation. The SOMA quietly generates power in wind speeds as low as 3.5ms (12.6kmhr or 7.9mph) and as high as 50ms (180kmhr or 112mph). It is designed with longevity in mind. The SOMA is a robust machine manufactured in Australia to survive the harsh conditions of Southern Coastline and can be used either as the prime source of power or as an addition to a solar power system (Alicia, 2007, p.17).

According to Alicia, (2007, p.20), the wind turbine is widely freely available and does not require fuel source but only requires people to put sails into the wind. Typical uses of the design are domestic power supply, telecommunications and any remote power applications. This paper will discuss the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development The technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved and finally there will be a conclusion.

Design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine by SOMA Power Pty Ltd
SOMA Power Pty Ltd Company has specialized in renewable energy since 1981 and manufactures the SOMA range of wind generators which are sold throughout Australia and overseas. The company is located in Copacabana, New South Wales and was commissioned in May, 1995. The company also designs, installs and services hybrid solarwind stand-alone power systems and grid connect renewable energy systems. SOMA Power Pty Ltd is fully accredited (F520) for design and installation of renewable energy systems by the CEC (Clean Energy Council of Australia) and BCSE (Business Council for Sustainable Energy). It also has an Electrical Contractors License (9552C) as well as Electrical Engineering personnel on staff (Alicia, 2007, p.29).

SOMA Power PL trading as Sunrise Solar has been operating in the solarwind renewable energy industry now since 1982, manufacturing the SOMA wind turbine predominantly for the Australian market, and installing solar or wind power systems locally in New South Wales (NSW). The Managing Director of SOMA Power PL, David Bartley, began work in the solar industry in 1982, as an engineer for Tideland Energy in Brookvale, Sydney. Tideland Energy manufactured solar cells and panels initially for Navigational Aids and later became a major supplier of solar power systems for Telecom Australia. Tideland Energy was bought out by BP Solar in 1986 and David continued to work on Australian and overseas solar projects. In 1991, he left BP Solar and formed Sunrise Solar which isa distributor of BP Solar products. After many years of designing and installing solar and wind power systems, he acquired the manufacturing rights to the New Zealand brand SOMA Wind Generator, from David Mackay of SOMA Power NZ (Alicia, 2007, p.31). The Australian company SOMA Power Pty. Ltd. was afterwards incorporated to reflect the association with the well known wind generator brand of SOMA.

Factors that contributed to the design of SOMA 1000W Wind Turbine development
As stated by Alicia, (2007, p.37), there are various economical, social, political and socio-cultural factors that led to the design of SOMA 1000W wind Turbine. It was essentially built to help charge the battery bank that powers the companys offgrid home. Its a permanent magnet alternator which generates 3 phase ac, rectified to dc, and fed to a charge controller. The magnets spin with the wind and the coils are fixed in such a way that there are no brushes or slip rings necessary. The design was also implemented for remote sites where alternative power is required, such as home power and telecommunications.

The socio-economic factor for the design was to provide clients with system reliability and professional service. Its also aimed at being involved in an industry that is providing part of the answer to global warming economically. Through their many years of practical field experience in Australia and overseas, the company has learnt the importance of reliability when it comes to selecting components and designing products and systems (Alicia, 2007, p.40).  Political factors also led to the design as the government required a more effective source of power with least effects on the environment.

The Technology that enabled the eventual design realization and the contribution to its form
According to Alicia, (2007, p.56), SOMA Wind Turbines are made from the highest quality materials in order to withstand long-term wear and fatigue. The large rotor diameters ensure high efficiency in light to moderate wind speeds while the brushless, permanent magnet alternators are designed to produce a power curve to match the output of the 2 bladed, rotor, while operating at optimal tip speed ratios. The propellors are constructed using a hollow moulded fiberglass technique unique to SOMA.
Feathering Mechanism the design has a tilt back action which relieves pressure on the wind generator and tower in strong winds. This is a fail safe design with mechanical simplicity. A hydraulic dampener limits the feathering action in gusty wind conditions thus ensuring smooth operation.

Control Panel SOMA Wind Turbines are supplied with a voltage regulated control panel and dump load such that when the batteries are fully charged the excess power is burnt off as heat. The Control Panel has a tapered charge regulator which progressively reduces the supply of current to the battery as it reaches full charge. The upper voltage can be reset by adjusting the control dial to enable equalization charging.

Tilt Tower The Sunrise Solar manufactures 13 meters and 19.5 meters guyed tilt towers which are complete with brake winch. This ensures that there is no climbing or towing and that the towers are safe and easy to install and maintain.

Wind-Solar Hybrid To create a hybrid system, the Wind Turbine can be connected to the same bank of batteries as solar panels. With such a design, the system provides a more consistent supply of power and is less affected by variations in wind and solar levels.

Batteries Deep cycle batteries used are large enough to provide 3-4 days storage for windless periods. The SOMA1000W requires a minimum size of 550 AH at 24 volts or equally 275AH at 48 volts (Alicia, 2007, p.57). Lights and numerous appliances are supported to run directly off the battery. The design has a solar hybrid option which allows the wind turbine to be used in conjunction with solar panels to create a hybrid system. Such a system provides supply of power which is more consistent and less affected by variations in wind and solar levels.

Perception of the original design problem and the needs that the designer solved
Most of wind turbines sold since the start of the business have proven to be a huge disappointment as most have had short lives and several have failed while some didnt work from new. Some of these have been fixed and others refunded or replaced at the companys expense. Fitting cheap wind generator had the risk of breakage or worse.  A really good wind turbine is the Superwind or the SOMA Wind Turbine with long guarantees and almost indestructible (Alicia, 2007, p.58).
 
SOMA Wind Turbine is on the east coast of Tasmania, another on the west coast of King Island and several more scattered across Tasmania. These units are Aussie made quality wind generators. The design withstands gale and storm force winds often and is good for testing ground for wind generators. The unit is available in 12, 24, 48 and high voltage in 400 and 1000 watt models and is provided with a controller. When the SOMA wind turbine is in a good wind site, it can supply enough power for television, water pump, kitchen appliances, lights, radio, fan, washing machine and microwave oven.  SOMA wind generators are also the ideal source of power for scientific equipment and HYPERLINK httpwww.ferret.com.autTelecommunicationstelecommunications (Alicia, 2007, p.63).

Conclusion
The SOMA 1000W wind Turbine is used both in large scale wind farms for national electrical grids and in small individual wind turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations. This wind energy is very plentiful, renewable, clean, widely distributed, and reduces toxic atmospheric and greenhouse gas emissions when used instead of fossil-fuel-derived electricity. The SOMA 1000W wind Turbine has brought significant economic growth and environment conservation compared to other methods e.g. electricity and countries should consider employing this design for power generation.