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Posts Tagged ‘vertical windmills’

Vertical windmills are not a new concept. Actually, despite that we’re accustomed to seeing horizontal axis windmills, the first windmills introduced were the vertical ones. The first functional types were invented in the ninth century, but their design has changed a lot over the years in order to obtain a higher effectiveness from them.

Vertical windmills have plenty of benefits. One of them is the low sound that they make. Horizontal windmills normally are extremely noisy, a fact that’s proven by their settlements in non-populated or low populated areas with not a lot of habitats around. Due to their silent function, vertical windmills are most of the times used by humans for their homes, metropolitan areas or commercial buildings.

Another benefit that vertical windmills have is that they can catch more wind than horizontal windmills. Regardless of the direction from which the wind blows, vertical windmills can capture it and transform it into energy. We can’t say the same about the horizontal axis form windmills.

A vertical windmill is less difficult to maintain. It is also secured to do it, too. We owe this to the truth that the position of the generator is at the ground level. Since it is in such a convenient place and straightforward to repair, we save a lot more time and energy when we give it maintenance or when we repair it.

Utilizing the vertical windmills’ design also brings benefits for the birds. Birds sometimes fly into the horizontal axis windmill. From this viewpoint the vertical axis type is safer and there’re least chances for birds to fly into its blades.

Vertical windmills could also have a highly anesthetic look, as they could be adapted to the adjoining area. They don’t have a pre-established pattern to pursue when building them. You could find them in plenty of shapes.

The most common vertical windmills are the Savonius and the Darrieus. The Savonius windmill is mostly used for pumping the water or for grain grinding. If you consider it from above, you notice that its shape is the one of the letter “S”. Contrary to the Savonius, the Darrieus windmill is used for producing electrical energy and not for pumping water. Its blades are in shape of the letter “C”, providing it the aspect of an eggbeater.

We live in a world where the electrical power is not only starting to become more and more expensive, but we’re also becoming more conscious that many sources that produce it are affecting the environment. Begin thinking at building your own vertical or even horizontal axis windmill so you can save money and help save the Earth in the procedure.