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.

TALLER DE FABRICACIÓN DE AEROGENERADORES Argentina

Posted on 16/06/2017 by hugh

TALLER DE FABRICACIÓN DE AEROGENERADORES / CÓRDOBA 2017 Evento que se celebrará a la hora, en la fecha y ubicación siguientes: Sábado, 24 de junio de 2017 a las 09:00 – hasta – Domingo, 25 de junio de 2017 a … Continue reading →

Posted in courses | Leave a comment

Arduino based PWM diversion control system

Posted on 21/05/2017 by hugh

I am a bit fanatical about using surplus energy from wind and solar systems.  I just had an article published in Home Power magazine about this subject. I like using Tristar controllers in diversion mode and then triggering more usable … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, Diversion load control | 4 Comments

More free designs at kdwindturbines.nl

Posted on 03/05/2017 by hugh

Adriaan Kragten writes: Dear Hugh Recently I have developed two new small VIRYA wind turbines with axial flux generators, the VIRYA-1.25AF and the VIRYA-1.81. The design reports and the drawings can be copied for free from my website: www.kdwindturbines.nl.  A folder … Continue reading →

Posted in Adriaan Kragten, construction | Leave a comment

Scoraig 2017 wind turbine workshop photos

Posted on 22/04/2017 by hugh

On this year’s course we built a 2F machine but with 16 magnets instead of the usual 12.  I have a cheap source of these smaller magnets.  The 2F is a “2 metre diameter Ferrite magnet wind turbine” which is … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, ferrite magnets, Scoraig | 4 Comments

What’s a kiloWatt and a kiloWatt-hour?

Posted on 09/04/2017 by hugh

I see a lot of people talk about energy and power using terms like “kW per day”.  Let’s be clear with our language.  kW is a measure of power. Power is actually the rate of energy use.  Energy is power … Continue reading →

Posted in hydro, UK small wind scene | 2 Comments

Secondhand Proven 2.5kW 48V turbine

Posted on 02/04/2017 by hugh

I have been asked to mention a 2.5kW Proven wind turbine (nowadays “KingspanWind”) that is available factory reconditioned.  I installed this turbine in the Highlands in summer of 2004, charging a 48V battery as part of a hybrid power system … Continue reading →

Posted in stuff on offer | 8 Comments

More secondhand stuff

Posted on 08/03/2017 by hugh

People often let me know when they have secondhand stuff that might be of interest, and I am very happy to mention it here.  Often it finds a good home.  I got two emails today. Neil on Barra has three windyboy … Continue reading →

Posted in stuff on offer | 2 Comments

Still time to get a place on the Scoraig Workshop 15th April

Posted on 28/02/2017 by hugh

I will be holding a wind turbine building workshop here at my home on Scoraig from 15th-22nd April 2017.   Kostas Latoufis will be helping me this year.  Most of the places are taken but there is just room for one more, … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, courses, Notices, Scoraig | Leave a comment

Have we got our priorities right?

Posted on 19/02/2017 by hugh

I can’t understand a society where people are pleased and proud to own a fancy car that will never pay for itself, and pollutes the planet, but hang their heads in shame if their wind turbine does not pay for … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 4 Comments

Fixing a 2F turbine on Scoraig

Posted on 05/02/2017 by hugh

The other day I had to take this 2F windmill down because it had stopped working. Turning slowly as if on the brake.  It’s a few years old and I thought most likely the flexible wiring inside the tower had got twisted up … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, ferrite magnets, my own projects, Scoraig | 2 Comments