How to Build a Windmill (2012)
jacquesmattheij.com
How to Build a Windmill (2012)
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Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#2Especially enjoyed the part where they fabricate a custom 500 watt, 54-pole (if I counted right) out-runner alternator essentially from scratch. Sheet metal was cut!
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#3[deleted]
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#4So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution.
Even then, PV would have been more cost-efficient. Now with storage probably even more so.
Small wind is a mug's game except in very specific circumstances.
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#5So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution. Even then, PV would have been more cost-efficient. Now with storage probably even more so. Small wind is a mug's game except in very specific circumstances.
sometimes, it's not about the money.
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#6So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution. Even then, PV would have been more cost-efficient. Now with storage probably even more so. Small wind is a mug's game except in very specific circumstances.
sometimes, it's not about the money.
Indeed. It is a fascinating journey and he even notes it in the article:
"...even though from an economical point of view this project was an absolutely terrible loss the amount of satisfaction of seeing a dream like that come true is truly amazing"
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#7Was in the Netherlands recently and toured an old windmill. Highly recommended. The way they reuse the same core equipment to perform various jobs is awesome. Plus it just sounds cool.
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#8Discussed at the time:
How to build a windmill - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4579932 - Sept 2012 (53 comments)
also:
How to build a windmill part 2: Parts, nuts, bolts and blades (2012) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10791461 - Dec 2015 (7 comments)
How to Build a Windmill, Part 2: Parts, Nuts, Bolts and Blades - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4584772 - Sept 2012 (10 comments)
Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#9Re: How to Build a Windmill (2012)
#10So, at his site, 10+ years ago, his wind produced more frequent power than PV would have, at 3x the cost of a commercial solution. Even then, PV would have been more cost-efficient. Now with storage probably even more so. Small wind is a mug's game except in very specific circumstances.
I sooo want a wind turbine to supplement my solar, but as you say, I just can't make the economics work.
For starters, wind is a lot more mechanical. Meaning moving parts. Meaning maintainence, storm care, and so on.
For another it's more obtrusive, large, high, creates some degree of noise etc.
It's not exactly cheap. My inverter could handle it, but between the mounting and turbine, it's some real cash.
The argument for it just falls apart when I do the math. For less money and waaay less hassle, I could just extend the solar.
So I love the -idea- of wind but the economics of it just don't work at personal-scale (yet?)
Personal Hydro also looks interesting (but alas I have neither the elevation, nor river for that). For a while I researched ocean wave (especially shore wave), but I dont live by the sea.
Ultimately we use what we can get, which for me is solar. I get plenty of wind here, which is why it seems a waste to not use it, but again, economics...