Function:
A standalone device which shall be able to transform somehow a sustainable source (wind) into usable work or storable energy without using hightech.
Development state:
5 wind mill designs are created and running so far. 1 micro size and 4 mini size. All designs are made more or less from scrap. Only a few parts like bearings and rods are purchased.
I recently added a small generator to be able to charge a power bank. Size and scale needs to be tailored to expected wind conditions.
A diaphragm pump for a bigger windmill is already build
Advantages:
Wind mills in Indonesia are not common, because there are no continuous strong winds around the equator. That is the reason for commercial Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) are not utilized. The big advantage of Vertical Axis WindTurbines(VAWT) is that they start in low wind to turn and are not depend on the direction of the wind. It shall have the ability to stand storms without being switched of like a HAWT.
-the squared shape and behavior makes the VAWT ideal for urban and close to ground areas
-the VAWT does not have high speed rotation therefore it is less dangerous and less noisy.
-the generator unit is close to the ground therefore easy to maintenance.
-to build a fitting generator just copper coils and magnets are needed (future project)
Challenges to be solved, Limitations:
-most common generators need higher rpm’s to generate the voltage needed
-wind close to the ground in general is very dirty(not constant, gusty), a kind of buffer storage would be needed. In small turbines this could be done with a capacitor(supercap) or flywheel. It needs to be proofed and tested
-to reduce/avoid all possible losses of energy to friction a small direct driven pump is the logic choice. It needs to be created and tested.
Vision of impact:
This wind mill project is meant to be a place holder for something bigger. It shall visualize the harvest a free source of energy, the wind, and it shall visualize the principle of basic transformation. It shall inspire people to create something by themselves to address their needs.
The micro size turbine should be able to light up one or some LEDs. The mini size turbines, depend on the design, should be able to generate around 5-10 W of electric energy and charge a power bank.
The goal is to create two working models for demonstration. One to generate electric energy, and one bigger version to mechanically drive a pump.
To generate the electric energy it is the goal to find and define a small set of functional generators, which then can be used in projects and products. The wind mills it selves then can be different in their designs and can be build as kits or collapsible from fabrics. Every community will have their own needs their own circumstances, and in the best case will find their own solution while doing the project.
As a pump is an substantial piece of equipment for different jobs, and in Indonesia rural off grid farming is an issue in cultivating and developing the land, a wind driven pump can be a powerful tool for community development, new settlements but also for water conservation and reforestation.
A pump also would be needed/useful for an enhanced automated solar water still, and necessary for the development of an aquaponics or enhanced hydroponics system.
An axial flux electric generator in a DIY way is a generator just made by some copper coils and magnets. This kind of generator can be ‘tailored’ for any need. It could be another powerful project together with micro hydro or stand by its own.
A bigger version with an recycled oil-drum(single or stacked) could be the next step of development.
I also got asked to build a wind pump for deep wells.