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.

Interesting German site for building turbines

Posted on 23/09/2011 by hugh

Markus in Switzerland told me about this interesting site.  Parts of it are in German (which I never learned to read, but can using Google translate). http://www.nadaparasiempre.com/hobbies/wind-energy/ Daniel has made an interesting spreadsheet for designing axial alternators.  You can download … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | Leave a comment

Calculating the energy production of a wind turbine

Posted on 21/09/2011 by hugh

The bottom line with a wind turbine is how much energy it produces.  Do not confuse this with the maximum power output!  Rated power output is only achieved at rated windspeed, which will only occur from time to time.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene, wind systems tutorial | 6 Comments

Komic Monastery electrification at 14,800 feet

Posted on 21/09/2011 by hugh

Thanks to Vivek Mundkur for these photos from the heart of the Himalayas.

Posted in developing world, People | 4 Comments

1200mm wind turbine workshop at Eirbyte

Posted on 19/09/2011 by hugh

Don’t miss the Irish pipe music and some clever construction ideas. Eirbyte is here.

Posted in construction, courses, Video links | Leave a comment

Proven Wind Turbines go bust.

Posted on 17/09/2011 by hugh

Proven Energy have gone bust.  Here is a good source of information: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2109634/proven-energy-cash-crisis also http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/271863 and http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14973.0.html I was a big supporter of the Proven wind turbine in the 1990s.  It’s built like a tank in contrast to so many flimsy … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 30 Comments

Price of Neodymium finally levels off

Posted on 16/09/2011 by hugh

There’s an interesting article here about the situation with global supply of neodymium magnets.  Price of Neodymium (Nd) has increased roughly tenfold in two years, but shows signs of leveling in recent weeks. Thanks to Markus Hugentobler for sending me … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, developing world, ferrite magnets | 3 Comments

The first ever wind turbine build completely by people with a disability

Posted on 16/09/2011 by hugh

I Love Windpower – Tanzania are working with Yombo secondary school for people with a disability  to build one turbine of the type ‘Piggott – 3 meter’ plus assemblies and parts, which will be used for the next ordered turbine. “It … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, developing world | Leave a comment

CometME on WindEmpowerment facebook page

Posted on 13/09/2011 by hugh

See the WindEmpowerment Facebook page for photo albums and a video from CometME about the construction of the 4200 (14 foot diameter) turbines there with 20 magnets.

Posted in CometME, construction, Video links | 1 Comment

Photos from CometME in July

Posted on 12/09/2011 by hugh

I thought everyone might like to see these photos of construction of the 4200 mm diameter turbine in Palestine that Noam sent me in July. Attached please find images of our new 4200 build. You may see the blade jig … Continue reading →

Posted in CometME, construction | 4 Comments

More from Romania

Posted on 12/09/2011 by hugh

From Dan Paraipan in Romania – see more here

Posted in construction | Leave a comment