Go Greener Tips

Would you like to design a windmill?

Windmills have been with us for centuries. The idea of a windmill is to capture the winds energy to rotate the blades, converting wind energy into mechanical force. This mechanical force can be used to turn a generator and produce electrical power. Originally they were used to pump water or grain. Today modern versions typically use high tech, lightweight components such as carbon fiber in their construction. You do not need to use these costly materials. Windmill building can be accomplished by a knowledgeable, do it yourself type of person, for a very affordable cost. With simple hand tools, hardware store access, and basic construction ability, you can construct your own windmill.

The primary goal of a windmill is to maximize the conversion of wind energy into mechanical energy. It needs to be tall enough to get above trees and other obstacles. You should first check out your local building rules before embarking on a windmill building project. They may limit the height or location of the windmill. The blades need to be shaped so that they capture the wind. They should be made from lightweight wood or plastic and turn with ease Think of an airplane propeller.

The two kinds of windmill designs are horizontal axis and vertical axis. The horizontal axis ones are the most often used. Their vertically rotating blades face the wind. The downside to this design is that when the wind changes direction, the horizontal axis type will not be very efficient. A vertical axis type can produce wind energy from any direction. It’s main shaft is vertical and the generator can be located on the ground unlike the horizontal axis. Another often overlooked windmill building step is to know the general direction and speed of the wind in your area to help decide which type to build. You can use an anemometer to determine your wind speeds.

If you are interested in windmill building, you will need to know the basic parts. The base, needs to be strong, and heavy. This will help keep the machine from falling over in strong winds. The tower that can be made from wood, or plastic tubing. The blades will capture the winds energy. The size of the blades will be determined by the size of your base. On a five foot machine your blades would need to be one to three feet long. The nacelle normally houses the gearbox. A basic wind turbine can use a simple shaft to connect the blades to the tower. And the last part, the generator, that will be turned by the windmill to produce power.

Here are a couple other windmill building tips. You will need wind speeds of at least 7 miles per hour to start making power. Twelve to twenty mph is recommended for optimum results. An eight to eleven foot tall machine can produce 700-1000 watts of power and can be built easily. Remember, it is important to know your areas laws, wind speeds and directions, and power needs before starting your windmill building adventure.

A windmill is a very cost effective way to start producing your own renewable power. The wind is a renewable energy source that is not going away. There are loads of windmill building plans on the internet. Review the best windmill building plans here.

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