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.

4200 alternator options

Posted on 19/08/2011 by hugh

I haven’t built a lot of turbines 4200 mm diameter (14 footers for the North American market). I use 16 magnets the same as the 3600 (12 foot) turbines but put them on a larger disk (450 mm/18 inches) compared … Continue reading →

Posted in CometME, construction, developing world, France, People | 13 Comments

Frans Beudt’s control systems

Posted on 13/08/2011 by hugh

Frans Beudt  lives in the northwest Netherlands.  Average wind 5,5 m/sec Youtube channel here “Testing the windmill at 5 Bft .  Results till now OK ,   Rpm stays around 300 , Amps 20 ,Volt 30 .  Electronic system doing good … Continue reading →

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

V3 now sell complete wind turbine kits!

Posted on 12/08/2011 by hugh

These bespoke kits comprise of a set of three hand-carved blades, a complete alternator, mounting and an electrical system. We have been building these turbines for over 5 years and as a result you can expect the highest degree of … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, People, products/technical, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment

Single phase, chain driven alternator project with ferrite magnets

Posted on 28/07/2011 by hugh

Chris Olsen has been busy experimenting and reporting his findings on the Fieldlines board This single phase stator for a ten magnet dual-rotor turbine is his answer to the rising cost of neodymium magnets.  As always Chris is pushing against … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, ferrite magnets, People | 4 Comments

WindAid Volunteer programmes in Peru

Posted on 13/07/2011 by hugh

WindAid is a non-profit social responsibility organisation based in Trujillo, Peru and we run environmental development projects building wind turbines for communities in Peru without access to electricity. The dates for our upcoming programmes are: ·  FULL!!! 18th July – … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, developing world, Notices | 2 Comments

Pedro’s microwave ferrite magnet turbine

Posted on 12/07/2011 by hugh

Pedro Bernardo has been sending me photos of his latest project using ferrite magnets from a microwave oven.  Pedro lives in a village close to a small city called Marinha Grande, Portugal.  (Since I first posted this message he has … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, ferrite magnets, People | 48 Comments

Eoltec 6kW turbine is MCS approved

Posted on 06/07/2011 by hugh

A (shortened) press release from Orkney wind energy company Bryan J Rendall Electrical: The Eoltec Scirocco, co-developed by Kirkwall company Bryan J Rendall Electrical (BJRE), is the first wind generator of its kind to meet Class 1 standards under the … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 27 Comments

Wind turbines in Tajikistan

Posted on 22/06/2011 by hugh

Jarty Gumbez #4 from an album of photos by Tony Nelson, Director etc4ca

Posted in developing world, People, products/technical | Leave a comment

Source for wind turbine parts/kits in France

Posted on 20/06/2011 by hugh

“We provide parts, completed sections  or the complete 2.4 metre wind turbine kit for the enthusiast to create your own micro electricity generating station by using the wind as the natural resource.  This can then charge batteries or be used … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, France, People, products/technical | Leave a comment

Otherpower workshop at Buckville CO

Posted on 18/06/2011 by hugh

For those of you who do not read the Otherpower discussion board at Fieldlines, well, you should. Here is a recent posting about a workshop at Buckville CO.   Dan Bartmann, George and Scottie guided a small group to build an … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, People | 3 Comments