In the ever-evolving urban landscape where space is limited and the demand for clean energy is growing, Franklin High School students Rishabh Mathukiya and Ishan Kasam have embarked on a project to harness the power of wind. The two were honored with the Eversource Sustainability Award at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF).

“We hope our project will create a meaningful and lasting impact on the broader community through large-scale implementation, particularly in densely populated urban areas where space and resources are often limited,” said Mathukiya and Kasam. “Our goal is to offer a renewable energy solution that is not only practical but also adaptable to a wide range of environments.”

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), with their omnidirectional design, are particularly suited for urban environments where traditional horizontal axis wind turbines face challenges such as noise pollution, maintenance issues and spatial constraints. By integrating piezoelectric transducers into their turbine design, Mathukiya and Kasam have found a way to convert mechanical vibrations from rain and wind into additional electrical energy. This innovation helps the device generate energy even when wind speeds are low, making it ideal for densely populated areas with fluctuating wind conditions.

"Rishabh and Ishan's project exemplifies the creative thinking needed to optimize renewable energy in urban settings," said Clare Connolly, Eversource's Director of Sustainability and Climate. "Their work demonstrates the potential of hybrid systems to further enhance clean energy generation."

As climate change accelerates, the need for efficient and sustainable energy solutions becomes more pressing. Mathukiya and Kasam's project underscores the importance of optimizing wind turbines for urban and residential areas, offering a compact solution for clean energy at a time when demands for electricity are increasing.

"Climate change has been a major crisis and has been talked about for countless years," said Mathukiya. "As time went on and we saw more side effects of the growing climate crisis, we were inspired to work on a project, as we saw the growing need for clean and accessible energy."

Their findings suggest that if this system were scaled to larger arrays, it could significantly enhance renewable energy production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This project is a testament to the power of innovation and the potential to bring more clean energy solutions compact, urban environments.