Residential Windmills – Technical Considerations

Build Your Own Residential Windmill

Residential windmills are a valuable asset to small and large properties alike. Whether you live in the countryside or city, a residential windmill can save you money on your next utility statement.

Residential windmills produce energy; they turn kinetic energy into mechanical power to operate appliances.

Residential windmills are categorized as producing 100 or fewer kilowatts.

When building a windmill there are various components that are required, such as the base, tower, wind blades, and nacelle to ensure blade movement.

Windmill blades are relatively similar to that of an aircraft propeller and are used to capture the energy of the wind. You can make your own blades out of lightweight plastic or wood. Residential windmills typically stand five feet high, thus their blades should be between one and three feet in length.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The base of the windmill is the central structure that must be able to withstand winds up to 50 mph.  Residential windmill bases should be an 18 inch square, made out of concrete, sand, or other sturdy material, and weigh roughly 20 pounds.

A windmill tower should be made out of sturdy materials and have a height of five feet. Wood or plastic PVC pipe work well, you will need a piece of 2 x 4 for the tower.

Residential windmills operate by turning the rotor blade, which moves the hub. The pitch actuator ensures that the blades do not move more than 40 rpm by adjusting the angle of the blades. The cone angle ensures that the blades do not hit the base or tower. When the hub turns, it communicates with the gearbox and increases the speed of rotation as necessary. After the energy passes the gearbox, it passes through a fluid coupling unit, which reduces fluctuations in speed. The energy is then transferred to a 200-kilowatt generator that produces electricity. The gearbox is mounted in the bedplate, and the anemometer senses wind direction in conjunction with the wind vane. Because the windmill is a down-wind machine, the yaw drive positions the nose cone of the nacelle into the wind. When the anemometer senses proper orientation, it will execute the yaw break, locking the windmill into position. As the wind changes, the process repeats.

In a simplified form, home windmills produce energy by attaching an electric generator to the blade shaft of the residential windmill. As the blades turn, electricity is created. The collected electricity is sent through wires throughout the residence or to the main junction box. Home wind generators use wind energy and, as a renewable resource, this helps save our planet’s dwindling non-renewable energy resources.

By building a residential windmill you will  harnessing the power of the earth, which is vital for generations to come. Residential windmills can make a difference to our plant and can save you money too!