In today’s day and age there are millions of people who generate their own green energy at home by learning how to build windmills or solar panels. The benefits of generating your own energy are unlimited; no more energy bills, no more power outages due to a failure in the utility grid, and the fact that green energy generation doesn’t emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The benefits go on and on, but what exactly is a windmill and how do you go about producing your own green energy?
Solar panels and windmills are both practical energy sources, but the area you live in would likely benefit far more from one than the other. Because solar panels get so much attention this writing will dive into windmills, we’ll even talk about how to build a windmill to power your home for free.
How exactly do windmills work?
Windmills are propelled via wind power. The blades of a windmill are attached to a large center shaft. As the wind blows and the blades spin, the shaft will begin to rotate within an electrical generator. A large coil of wire wrapped around a magnet within the shaft generates an electrical current. This electrical current is then captured and transmitted via copper wire for commercial or residential use.
What parts does a windmill consist of?
There are quite a few parts to a windmill but not as many as you may think!
Blades: Typically in sets of three or four, the blades should always be FULLY intact and shaped to take maximum advantage of wind energy. These are typically made of wood, plastic, or sheet metal.
Tower: The tower is a large pillar that holds the blades, shaft, and turbine high up in the air. The tower is typically made of a very durable material like poly-vinyl chloride. For smaller windmills, steel tubing is the norm.
Base: The base of a tower is essentially its foundation. For large windmills this can extend dozens of feet into the ground, for a small windmill (like those found at home), a concrete slab is usually poured into a hole in the ground.
Turbine: This is what converts the moving mechanics of a windmill into actual electricity. The electricity is sent to a power station below via copper wiring.
Shaft: One end of the shaft is connected to the blades and the other to the actual turbine. The shaft begins to rotate within the turbine as the blades spin in the wind.
Learn how to build a windmill…
Due to the expensive nature of windmill kits, it’s a great idea to learn how to build a windmill on your own. It’s simple to learn how to build a windmill and any average Joe can do it with the right instructions and materials. However, it’s highly recommended that you consult a professional before hand.
