1. PROBLEM 1.4.1 RENEWABLE ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION
By Eric Beights, Warz Hussain, and Carter Landis
Principles of Engineering, McKinney High School

2. Research Summary
The 2-Wire Motor 393 is the primary actuator used in the VEX Robotics Design System. Build rotational mechanisms using this motor. Drive bases, rotational joints, conveyor belts, or anything that spins can be built using the 2-Wire Motor 393. The motor is simulating the wind turbine in this scenario.
A solar panel is a device that is used to convert radiant solar energy into electrical current. Solar panels allow people to generate electricity on a small scale as well as in remote parts of the world where no other forms of energy are available. The downside to solar panels is no available energy at night due to lack of sunlight, unless the panel is capable of storing energy.
A hydrogen fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water. Fuel cells are often compared to batteries. Both convert the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power. However, the fuel cell will produce electricity as long as fuel (hydrogen) is supplied, never losing its charge.
Device
Voltage Output
Current Output
Generator (Motor)
8.8V
0.02A
Solar Panel
5.1V
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
1.3V
0.03A
No. of LEDs (Residential)
Voltage Req. (Volts)
Current Requirement (mA) 2
3.93
2.3 3
5.65
1.4 4
7.41
0.7 5
9.11
0.3
No. of LEDs (Industrial)
Voltage Requirement (Volts)
Current Requirement (mA) 2
3.7
2.6 3
5.51
1.8 4
7.19
0.8 5
8.9
0.5

3. Design Brief Client: John Q. Public, McKinney Texas
Designers: Eric Beights, Warz Hussain, Carter Landis
Problem Statement: Consumers in McKinney demand effective and efficient electrical energy generation and distribution that is reliable, usable, and low cost. They require this energy at varying locations, times, and quantities to meet their individual needs.
Design Statement: My team will design and create a renewable electrical energy creation/distribution system that will adequately and consistently meet the power needs of residential and industrial consumers in the McKinney, Texas area that is efficient, economic, and profitable.
Constraints and Criteria:
-Allowable energy generation devices; 2 solar cells, 2 fuel cells, wind turbines
-Dimensions may not exceed 22 in. by 15 in. by 18 in. high
-LEDs must be wired in two individual banks- one representing industrial demand and one representing residential demand
-LEDs within the banks must be wired in series and require a 330 ohm resistor
-2 week time constraint
-Must run for 6 minutes
Deliverables:
Engineering Notebook
Initial Sketches
Design Sketches
Modification Sketches
Prototype Concept
PowerPoint Presentation

4. Brainstorming Sketches
Top Row- Gear tower, Circuit 1 concept, Overall layout concept
Bottom Row- Gear train, Circuit 2 concept

5. Final Solution Sketch

6. Modification Sketches

7. Prototype (Circuit)
The circuit proved to be the most difficult portion of construction. After testing various configurations, we eventually discovered this setup thanks to the help of a classmate. Maintenance of this circuit is no problem and it works as designed, but constructing it proved to be a challenge.
Each of the test banks are wired in a series circuit, with the 5 red lights representing the residential demand and the 3 amber lights representing the industrial demand.

8. Prototype (Turbine)
The second wheel on the right adds a place for an additional operator to turn the shaft, increasing the speed and ease of operation. The original plan was to have another motor attached where the wheel is in order to increase output, but the torque proved too much.
(Above) Although easy to construct, the operation of the turbine has a lot to be desired. In hindsight, a more grippable wheel and placement farther from the tower would have been useful.

9. Wiring Diagram M= Motor (0.02 amps; 8.8 Volts) Arrow w/ line=LED
Wave= Resistor
R1=390 Ohms
R2=330 Ohms

10. References
Hydrogen Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2014, from
Bratley, J. (2014, October 29). Solar Panel Definition | Clean Energy Ideas. Retrieved November 12, 2014, from
Energizing college and university education: Heliocentris. (2004, January 6). Fuel cell technology Retrieved November 12, 2014, from
Tourneux, M. (1982). U.S. Patent No. 4,336,413. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Lewis, N. S., & Nocera, D. G. (2006). Powering the planet: Chemical challenges in solar energy utilization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(43),
Landberg, L., Giebel, G., Nielsen, H. A., Nielsen, T., & Madsen, H. (2003). Short‐term Prediction—An Overview. Wind Energy, 6(3),