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.

Step by step guide to welding a 2400 mm diameter Recipe turbine

Posted on 26/12/2011 by hugh

About 6 months ago I prepared a 12 page document with some step by step drawings and  instructions for welding together the steel frame for just one of the wind turbines in my Recipe book. You can download it by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, construction, my own projects, Scoraig | 6 Comments

Next year in Washington state

Posted on 13/12/2011 by hugh

I’ll be teaching a “Homebuilt Wind Turbines” workshop course for Solar energy International on Guemes Island WA next October 15-20th 2012. This will be the sixth event of this name.  You can find some photo diaries and videos of previous … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, Notices, Video links | 3 Comments

Ampair require 3-5 engineering apprentices

Posted on 12/12/2011 by hugh

JOB VACANCY Ampair is recruiting 3-5 apprentices to join an expanding renewable energy manufacturing business. This role is as electromechanical production engineering apprentice manufacturing components and assemblies for small to medium sized wind & hydro turbine systems, and electrical equipment. … Continue reading →

Posted in Notices, People, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment

Wiring up a 12-volt stator

Posted on 08/12/2011 by hugh

In order to reduce the size and stiffness and number of wires that are needed to wind each coil, I prefer to connect the coils of a 12-volt stator in parallel rather than in series.  This means each coil has … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | 50 Comments

New structure for research and development is launched at WindEmpowerment

Posted on 08/12/2011 by hugh

Piet has created a procedure for refining and defining research goals and methods in a collaborative environment on the WindEmpowerment website. intro_movie_we from piet Willem Chevalier on Vimeo.

Posted in Notices, Video links | Leave a comment

Gordon Proven

Posted on 07/12/2011 by hugh

I’d like to remember Gordon Proven, the brilliant inventor, and creator of Proven Energy.  I only seem to have this one photo of Gordon from the early 1990s in his old factory in Kilmarnock.    Gordon built a really heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in People, UK small wind scene | 16 Comments

Heat pump book

Posted on 28/11/2011 by hugh

John Cantor has been around heat pumps a while, so what he has to say is going to be worth looking at if you want to understand the subject. Heat Pumps for the Home. Author John Cantor Illustrator Gavin Harper … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Notices, People | 2 Comments

Paul on Raasay gets his Powerspout spinning

Posted on 14/11/2011 by hugh

After sorting out a few wee leaks (at 6 bar pressure), Paul Camilli has got his Powerspout turbine running sweetly. I love Paul’s blog.  Especially when it’s about hydro turbines but I love it anyway due to the photos and … Continue reading →

Posted in People, Video links | Leave a comment

Kestrel e400i wind turbine on Scoraig

Posted on 13/11/2011 by hugh

It’s time I mentioned the Kestrel e400i that will celebrate its first year of trouble free operation here on Scoraig in January 2012.  It’s installed at the Dome on a tower that was originally used to test the prototype Proven … Continue reading →

Posted in Scoraig, UK small wind scene | 35 Comments

Alun Bush’s Scorraigweave Website

Posted on 30/10/2011 by hugh

Alan Bush is a friend and neighbour, and the original pioneer of Scoraig living.  He went to Tasmania for fifteen years but returned when MS had reduced his mobility.  We have done a lot of wind turbine work together and … Continue reading →

Posted in Scoraig | 4 Comments