Design and Development of a Mini Savonius Wind Turbine for Energy Generation on Flyover Bridges

The growing demand for electricity in urban areas has increased the need for alternative and sustainable energy sources. Zambia, at large, heavily depends on hydroelectric power, which faces challenges such as seasonal variability and increasing energy demand. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing mini Savonius wind turbines on flyover bridges within Lusaka as a supplementary energy source. The objective is to harness vehicle-induced wind currents to generate power for urban infrastructure, such as streetlights, traffic signals, and other urban infrastructure, thereby reducing dependence on the national grid.

The Savonius turbine is chosen for its low startup wind speed, omnidirectional operation, and suitability for turbulent urban wind conditions. Additionally, integrating wind energy in urban infrastructure can mitigate vandalism and theft, which are common issues with solar-powered streetlights.
The study highlights the viability of wind energy in urban Zambia and its role in enhancing energy security. Future work will focus on prototype implementation and performance optimization to assess real-world efficiency and economic feasibility.