Analysis of MIT campus wind resources for future wind turbine installation

Abstract

As our nation's continuing dependence on fossil energy and the problems that result from that dependence grow more apparent, we must look to alternative sources of energy to power the country. As a global scientific and technological leader, MIT is expected to take a part in the search for and support of alternative energy sources. One such source that has tremendous potential, yet tends to be underrepresented, is wind energy. Following the previous wind resource analysis done by Richard Bates, Samantha Fox, Katherine McCusker, and Kathryn Pesce, I have expanded upon the suggestions made at the conclusion of their analysis. The Eastgate building on MIT's campus was identified as one possible location for small scale wind turbines. I completed a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis on that building as well as the Johnson Athletic Center to determine if there were adequate wind resources to make the installation of a wind turbine on one of these buildings economical. The results of the CFD analysis show that the west edge of the roof on the Johnson Athletic Center is a promising location for the installation of a roof-top wind turbine. Further investigation of the wind resources at that location should be conducted.