Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
Rev 15 May 2011
PROJECT SUMMARY
The mission of the Sustainable Energy Systems for Education (SESE) family of projects is to design, develop,
build, test, and deliver interchangeable sustainable energy technological solutions for use by future senior
design teams and undergraduate engineering class projects in the KGCOE, beginning fall semester 2013.
The SESE family should exhibit the core functions of a sustainable system, which are Energy Collection and
Capture, Conversion, Transmission, Storage, Consumption, and Controls. All efforts should focus on an open
source / open architecture format. This open format supports use of the technologies by others and easy
integration of the SESE sub-projects as they are completed.
The project outlined in the following Project Readiness Package is the Wind Energy Collection (WEC) project,
one of several in the SESE project family. The mission of this project is to serve the core function Energy
Capture/Collection through the design, development and testing of a wind turbine, which must be reliable and
efficient. The wind energy collection device and detailed research from Portable High Power-Density Wind
Energy project (P11401) should be used as a starting point.
The turbine is required to interface with, and reliably deliver energy needs for, the family project Energy Bank
Module for SESE, whose function is storage. The scale of this project’s turbine will likely be greater than
P11401’s due to the increased energy needs. The success of the SESE family and its sub-projects depends on
continuous inter-team communication regarding specifications.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:
Project Name:
Project Number:
Project Track:
Project Family:
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
TBD
Sustainable Systems
OS/OA Sustainable Energy Systems for
Education
Parent Roadmap: Sustainable Energy Systems, R12006
Planning Term:
Spring 2011 (2010-3)
Start Term:
Winter 2012 (2011-2)
End Term:
Spring 2012 (2011-3)
Faculty:
Industry Guide:
Project Customer:
Project Sponsor:
Project Budget:
TBD
TBD
RIT MSD LVE and WOCCSE teams
TBD
TBD
PROJECT CONTEXT:
The SESE is a modular project aimed at developing a power source for the LVE and the Wireless Open
Source/Open Architectures Command and Control System for Education (R12003).
For the SESE family, the Capture/Collection function is the most critical of the SESE roadmap functions. This
particular project is important and intriguing because it is the foundation of the entire SES. Without any energy
capture devices, the SES would serve no function and benefit no one. Therefore, this project is where it all
begins, and this project is where the students can take the first step towards improving the lives of many people
all over the world. This project initially stands alone and will not be integrated into the early phases of
demonstrating the SES; however, it is important to initiate the investigation of this potential technology.
The image below is the SESE system block diagram containing all system modules. The Capture/Collection
function is represented by the green hexagon. Failure to meet the power needs of the energy bank would result
in the module system moving to a readily available solution - the non-sustainable wall outlet power illustrated
as a brown rectangle.
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Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
Rev 15 May 2011
As mentioned in the summary, this project should use Portable High Power-Density Wind Energy project as a
starting point, please visit http://edge.rit.edu/content/P11401/public/Home.
Also for more information on the larger project into which this system will be integrated, please visit
http://edge.rit.edu/content/R12006/public/Home
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Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
PROJECT HOUSE OF QUALITY:
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Rev 15 May 2011
Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
CUSTOMER NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
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Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS:
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Rev 15 May 2011
Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
Rev 15 May 2011
PROJECT INTERFACES:
Integral to the success of this project is its ability to easily connect to the systems being produced by other
senior design teams. That said, the major interface of this project requires that the Wind Turbine convert its
collected wind energy to DC voltage form. The project electronic conversion goal is 90% efficiency.
Specifically, it should output power from one female Molex connector to a different male Molex connector on
the Energy Bank Regulation board.
NOTE: The Capture/Collect team will need to communicate with the Energy Bank team to the pin count which
will be based on the power that the Capture/Collection team can supply.
STAFFING REQUIREMENTS:
Position Title
Position Description
Individuals will lead the design, development, and testing of a wind turbine for a
specified power output. The challenge is that the turbine’s size, location,
generator selection, material selection, and circuitry must be researched and
optimized for a reliable and efficient system.
Mechanical Engineer –
Design
(2 student)
Mechanical Engineer –
Fabrication Specialist
(1 student)
Mechanical Engineer
Modeling Software
(1 student)
Individuals should be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and should
be familiar with the machine shop tools and equipment. Some experience in the
EE field through co-ops or additional coursework is preferred. Fluid Mechanics,
System Dynamics, experience is preferred. Interest in sustainability and
renewable energy would be beneficial. Required coursework: Circuits I,
Materials Processing, Design of Machine Elements, Mechanics and Engineering
Design Graphics.
This individual will be responsible for fabricating most of the wind turbine’s
components such as the hub assembly, boom, and stand. The challenge will be
to make the system secure and robust, as well as work under a broad range of
environmental conditions.
Individuals should be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Interest and
experience with metal fabrication is crucial for success. Must understand fluid
dynamics. Interest in sustainability and renewable energy would be beneficial.
Required coursework: Circuits I, Materials Processing, Design of Machine
Elements.
This individual will assist with the wind turbine design by modeling load, stress,
deflection, and thermal effect through vital components in the system, such as
bearings and gears, to insure the system is secure, reliable and efficient
throughout the broad range of conditions it is exposed to.
Individuals should be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and should
be familiar with the machine shop tools and equipment. Comfortable use of
ANSYS and ProEngineer is crucial. Required coursework: Circuits I, Materials
Processing, Design of Machine Elements, Engineering Design Graphics, and
Advanced Computational Techniques.
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Project Readiness Package
Industrial Engineer –
Interface Manager
(1 potentially)
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
Rev 15 May 2011
This individual will have three key responsibilities: The first will be to act as a
liaison to the other SESE module teams as well as the LVE and the WOCCSE
projects; secondly, this individual should perform a thorough cost-benefit
analysis to determine the return on investment of the prototype as well as a mass
manufactured system. Due to the sustainability aspect of this project, this
individual will complete life-cycle assessment and provide recommendations for
material use and end-of-life options.
Experience with project management and sustainability is preferred. Interest in
sustainability and renewable energy will be beneficial. Required coursework:
Engineering Economy, Life Cycle Assessment, Design for Environment,
Engineering Management, Design for Project Management.
PROJECT CONSTRAINTS:
Regulatory Constraints
 The design shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The team's
design project report should include references to, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and
local laws and regulations (see ISO Standards for Energy Collection)
 The design shall comply with all applicable RIT Policies and Procedures. The team's design project
report should include references to, and compliance with all applicable RIT Policies and Procedures.
Economic Constraints
 Each team will be required to keep track of all expenses incurred with their project.
 Purchases for this roadmap will be run through the Mechanical Engineering Office. Each team must
complete a standard MSD purchase requisition and have it approved by their guide. After guide
approval, the purchasing agent for the team can work with Ms. Venessa Mitchell in the ME office to
execute the purchase and obtain the materials and supplies.
Environmental Constraints
 Adverse environmental impacts of the project, such as the release of toxic materials or disruption of the
natural wildlife, are to be minimized.
 Particular focus should be placed on resource sustainability (described further in Sustainability
Constraints).
 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required for all materials.
Social Constraints
 Each team in this roadmap is expected to demonstrate the value and outcome of their project at the
annual Imagine RIT festival in the spring.
Ethical Constraints
 Every member of every team is expected to comply with Institute Policies, including the Policy on
Academic Honesty, and the Policy on Academic Accommodations.
Health and Safety Constraints
 Wherever practical, the design should follow industry standard codes and standards (e.g. Restriction of
Hazardous Substances (RoHS), FCC regulations, IEEE standards, and relevant safety standards as
prescribed by IEC, including IEC60601). The team's design project report should include references to,
and compliance with industry codes or standards.
Manufacturing Constraints
 Commercially available, Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components available from more than one vendor are
preferred.
 It is preferable to manufacture and assemble components in-house from raw materials where feasible.
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Project Readiness Package
Wind Energy Collection for SESE
Rev 15 May 2011

Students should articulate the reasoning and logic behind tolerances and specifications on manufacturing
dimensions and purchasing specifications.
Intellectual Property Constraints
 All work to be completed by students in this track is expected to be released to the public domain.
Students, Faculty, Staff, and other participants in the project will be expected to release rights to their
designs, documents, drawings, etc., to the public domain, so that others may freely build upon the results
and findings without constraint.
 Students, Faculty, and Staff associated with the project are encouraged to publish findings, data, and
results openly.
 Students, Faculty, and Staff associated with the project are expected to respect the intellectual property
of others, including copyright and patent rights.
Sustainability Constraints
 All raw materials and purchased materials, supplies, and components used in the roadmap must have a
clearly defined Re-Use, Re-Manufacturing, or Recycling plan.
 This is intended to be a "Zero Landfill" project. This includes documents as well as project materials.
 Each team in the project family is limited to no more than 150 pages of printed documentation during
MSD1 and MSD2 (not including the MSD2 poster and MSD2 technical paper). Teams may use an
unlimited amount of electronic documentation, unless disk space becomes limited on the server.
 Each team must prepare an MSD2 poster and technical paper which is exempt from the paper constraint
above.
REQUIRED FACULTY / ENVIRONMENT / EQUIPMENT:
Category
Source
Faculty
RIT EE/ME
Departments
Environment
RIT, Lab or MSD
Floor
Equipment
RIT EE/ME
Departments
Materials
Online and Local
Suppliers
Description
Faculty expertise from each department for consulting. Expertise
in power conversion (EE), metal fabrication (ME), fluids, solid
modeling software, and sustainability is preferable.
A dedicated space to work, safely store large project materials,
and test equipment. An open area/field for operations and testing.
Labs containing modeling software and hardware for designing,
building and testing the system’s components. Fabrication
equipment (ME machine shop).
Sheet Metal, Metal Stock, Electrical Components, Wires,
Connectors, Circuit Boards.
Other
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