Author Archives: hugh

About hugh

I live off-grid in NW Scotland and have spent my life playing with wind turbines. I also love small hydros. Hands on renewable energy is my thing and I like to learn and to share my experiences.

Workshop story from TU Delft

Posted on 29/07/2016 by hugh

Here’s a nice concise description of a course run by Tripalium in France using my design. Students from TU Delft Energy Club went to France for a practical workshop. They came back with a working wind turbine that they now want … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, France, People | Leave a comment

Low cost MPPT heating controller for wind turbines

Posted on 24/07/2016 by hugh

Schams Electronic in Germany make some neat little MPPT controllers for solar and for wind. The Windmax MPPT controllers are modular, built from 500W units, with capacity up to 2.5kW.  These controllers have built-in protection against over-voltage when the battery … Continue reading →

Posted in products/technical | 3 Comments

Alex Burgos’ overvoltage clipper

Posted on 16/07/2016 by hugh

Alex sent me an email: I hope you are well I am writing to show my CLIPPER I tried it with my 12 volt turbine I have the Tristar ts-60 dc and ac Clipper The CLIPPER use it to control … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, People, products/technical, wind systems tutorial | Leave a comment

Enasolar grid-tied inverters for hydro turbines

Posted on 11/07/2016 by hugh

Enasolar inverters are made in New Zealand. They are fully compliant with UK grid standards G83/1-1 or G59/2. These inverters are the ideal choice for connecting a PowerSpout hydro turbine to the grid in the UK and other 50Hz AC countries. Many … Continue reading →

Posted in PowerSpout hydro turbines, products/technical | 2 Comments

Wind turbine workshop in Sweden

Posted on 02/07/2016 by hugh

Marie-Laure Brunel, a Tripalium trainer with 6 years’ practical experience in the Piggott method, will guide you through all the steps of the crafting process. more here…….

Posted in construction, courses | Leave a comment

Scoraig wind workshop 2016 photos

Posted on 30/04/2016 by hugh

From 23rd-29th April 2016 i hosted a workshop here at Scoraig. Seven “students”.  Co-instructor Jonathan from Austria. Project was 2.4m diameter 24-V battery charging turbine from the Recipe Book.  See also the pdf guide to welding this machine.  Mostly it was … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, my own projects, Scoraig | 2 Comments

Hand Built Wind Turbine Courses with V3 Power Co-op

Posted on 25/01/2016 by hugh

16th-17th April. £225. Organiclea, London 23rd-24th April. £225. Demand Energy Equality workspace, Bristol. 21st-22nd May 2016 – Hand Built Wind Turbine Course – at The Forge, Edinburgh For more information and to book a place visit: http://v3power.co.uk/public-courses/ Get hands-on experience … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, Notices | 1 Comment

Possible student research project

Posted on 18/01/2016 by hugh

Adriaan Kragten has been kind enough to notify me of his latest design work which is documented in his free pdf reports available for download here.  Most of his wind turbines have been based on converting induction motors to pm alternators … Continue reading →

Posted in Adriaan Kragten, construction, People, products/technical | 1 Comment

Hands on workshop in Costa Rica

Posted on 17/01/2016 by hugh

Ian Woofenden has decades of experience living off-grid and teaching workshops. Renewable Energy for the Developing World  Costa Rica – April 2-10, 2016 This workshop provides an introduction to all the major renewable energy technologies with a focus on designing and … Continue reading →

Posted in courses, developing world, People | 1 Comment

Video from Ethiopia

Posted on 19/12/2015 by hugh

Windempowerment are busy in Ethiopia.

Posted in developing world, People, Video links | 1 Comment