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.

PDF book about electricity supplies in Africa

Posted on 26/05/2011 by hugh

Energy for Radio – A Guide for Practitioners Michael Bycroft “Energy for radio” is a guide to energy management for community radio stations. It supports radio managers and operators as they tackle the energy issue at their station, helping to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, developing world | Leave a comment

20 – 23 May 2011, Holland

Posted on 08/05/2011 by hugh

How to build your own wind turbine workshop A 4 day workshop is going to be given starting from 20 May in Helvoirt, The Netherlands. During this hands-on workshop a 3 [m] rotor diameter wind turbine will be made by … Continue reading →

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

Alliance for Rural Electrification article

Posted on 04/05/2011 by hugh

Jay wrote an article about the new association “WindEmpowerment” for the Alliance for Rural Electrification Newsletter

Posted in developing world, Notices, People | Leave a comment

Intelligent Charge Controller for Turbine or Solar Use

Posted on 23/04/2011 by hugh

The Karasouli ICC is a new small low cost charge control and datalogging device for small wind and solar applications.  I mention it here because I hope it will be useful to readers – I have no commercial interest. These … Continue reading →

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

Windpower Workshop video

Posted on 19/04/2011 by hugh

In this video I am talking about the new edition of my book “Windpower Workshop” The video was shot and edited by Centre for Alternative Technology.  Thanks.

Posted in Books, construction, People, Video links | 4 Comments

Small wind turbine workshop in Belgium with Tripalium Jay Hudnall

Posted on 09/04/2011 by hugh

Wind turbine construction workshop course at Périple en la Demeure in Belgium with Jay Hudnall of Tripalium / Ti’eole and Vincent Judalet from ÉolSenegal.   Périple D is both a school and a brewery – a good combination for our purposes. … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, France, Video links | 2 Comments

One way to limit the current

Posted on 20/03/2011 by hugh

Good night Hugh, I write from Spain in particular from Albacete Villarrobledo a small village, where a friend and I started three years ago more or less the construction of wind turbine with your purchase from ti.Desde manual then several … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, People | 2 Comments

Damaged 2.4 metre machine on Scoraig

Posted on 19/03/2011 by hugh

Here are some photos of a machine we took down today after some strong winds.  It actually lost a blade, which is rather serious damage.  The plywood has deteriorated a bit.  This machine was built in 2006.  It’s a 24 … Continue reading →

Posted in construction | 2 Comments

Bicycle wheel alternator video

Posted on 13/03/2011 by hugh

A bicycle wheel is fastened to a vertical wood post. Neodymium magnets are bolted to the rim of the wheel. Tape is placed between the spokes to create the “windmill vanes”. As the magnets pass a coil of copper wire, … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, Video links | 7 Comments

Dakar meeting on locally built small wind turbines for rural electrification

Posted on 02/03/2011 by hugh

This conference took place on 7-11th February, in Dakar Polytechnic. Partners (see web links at end of this post) CIFRES, research center attached to the Supérieure Polytechnique de Dakar Tripalium, French small wind homebuilder’s association blueEnergy, NGO based in Nicaragua … Continue reading →

Posted in developing world, People | 3 Comments