Windpower Workshop: Building Your Own Wind Turbine

At a glance..

Wind can be an excellent choice for isolated power supply, and such is the nature of the folk who live in such places that many will prefer to 'DIY' wherever possible. This book does an admirable job in filling a gaping hole in the available literature on practical small scale wind engineering. It comes from a disciplined and highly trained devotee who has explored all the angles and learned most of the lessons (many of them the hard way).

The details..

In Windpower Workshop, author Hugh Piggott provides readers with an extensive guide on how to build their own wind turbine. This book is not only suitable for those wanting to construct a small-scale windmill but also appeals to people from all backgrounds that are passionate about renewable energy. With the increasing demand for sustainable power sources due to the true costs of mass fossil fuel use coming into light, this book offers practical solutions.

The author starts off by explaining why capturing wind energy can be tricky and highlights common mistakes made by newcomers such as underestimating difficulties or expecting too much power output from small machines. He then moves onto discussing safety measures required when working with electricity and battery hazards before delving into rotor design basics including using lift and drag techniques along with upwind vs downwind turbines.

Readers will learn about different types of generators available in the market today along with what they should look out for when selecting one best suited to their needs. Building permanent magnet alternators from scrap parts is also covered in detail alongside tips on how motors can be used as generators.

Mechanical controls like facing towards or away from winds are discussed while electrical control systems cover load control which plays a key role in good performance outcomes. Finally, tower erection methods are detailed including hands-on instructions on tilt-up towers ensuring safe practices throughout construction.