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.

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

Furling turbine video

Posted on 12/06/2011 by hugh

Here is a video of the machine that we erected at the end of the workshop in May.  It shows the tail furling as the gusts hit the 3 metre turbine on  a low tower in turbulence.  At one point … Continue reading →

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

Scoraig course 2011 photo diary

Posted on 04/06/2011 by hugh

I made some pages about the recent workshop course here at my home on Scoraig last month. Overview Blade Magnet placement Coil winding Assembly Testing The next workshop course will be at CAT in Wales on 28th August. After that … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, Scoraig | 1 Comment

Recipe Book updates

Posted on 26/05/2011 by hugh

I have been active updating my Recipe Book lately. Check out the updates page for details

Posted in Books, construction | 11 Comments