Wind power is a renewable energy source which can be harnessed to generate electricity. Huge turbines can stretch many hundred feet from the ground up, and generate big amount of energy. The generated electricity, stored in batteries can supplement the grid’s power. You can set up your own wind generator or turbine, to generate additional eco friendly electricity for your home. If your home’s site is located where there is ample wind blowing through the day, you may not have to use grid power at all, thus allowing you to live off grid.
How it works
Wind turbines/generators work with the help of rotor blades which are curved especially to ‘catch’ the power of the wind. When the wind moves the blade, the kinetic energy is passed on to a rotor, which causes it to spin. The rotor, which is connected to the generator, acts in a similar manner as dynamos on bicycles, and the kinetic energy is received by the generator, which converts it into electrical energy.
The amount of electricity generated depends on the strength of the wind – faster winds produce greater amounts of electricity. The energy which is inherent in the wind is equivalent to cube of the wind speed, i.e. winds which blow two times faster will generate eight times greater electricity.
How to build a wind generator for your home
Take a look at this simple design for a wind generator, which you can construct in less than an hour. Once the concept is clear to you, you can scale up the design to generate more electricity.
This particular DIY wind generator described below can power camping needs, or it can work as an emergency back-up when the grid power is down.
PVC (3 quarter inch) pipe
You’ll need straight pipes to build the stand. You’ll also need 3 ‘T’ couplers, five elbow couplers (90 degree couplers). You have to cut up the straight pipe into four 3.5 inch, two 8 inch, two 3 inches and one 10-11 inch part.
DC motor, propeller blade, drill, wiring and pipe cement PVC, (optional) are the other things you’ll need to build your wind generator.
Constructing the stand
Start building the stand by attaching the 3.5 inch pipe to two elbow couplers. Then, with the T-coupler, connect the two straight pieces. Ensure that the T-coupler end faces the direction in which open ends of the T-coupler face.
Repeat this process, and attach the remaining pipes of length 3.5 inches with two elbow couplers. These pieces form the square base’s two sides. Connect the 3 inch pieces to a T-coupler, and plug that into T-couplers’ sides. The shape should ultimately be ‘h’ shaped, or a two sided Open Square.
Complete the base
Connect the square’s sides by fixing the 8 inch length pipes into the rest of the slots of the elbow couplings. There should be a single open slot in the centre of the T-coupling. The base has to be rotated such that it faces upwards. Then connect the last elbow coupling to the 10-11 inch length pipe and fix it into the open T-coupling end to form the post of the turbine. Your base now is complete.
Set up the DC motor connection
After drilling a hole at the bottom of the turbine post, (through which wires can go through), connect the two wires to the DC motor’s output. Any kind of wiring can be used for this, including extension cords. The cords can be soldered in place, so that you have a strong connection which won’t become loose in heavy winds.
Now pass the wires/cords through the turbine’s post to come out from the hole you had drilled at the bottom of the post. The motor, ideally, should fit within the elbow coupling right at the top. Most DC motors are smaller than elbow coupling, so wrapping electrical tape all around the motor will help you get a tight fit. Attach the rotary blade to the motor before securing it to the coupling. Your turbine is ready to use.
A wind powered charge controller connected to a battery will store the electricity you generate to be used whenever you want.
Your very own wind generator can be constructed at very little cost to provide you with a homemade clean energy alternative.