My new wind test site

[aogden]

I think I have a pretty decent wind site but I will have to keep size and height to a minimum. I hope to evaluate several small 5'-10' non-commercial HAWT & VAWT turbines here.





As you can see I have a pretty clear Westerly exposure with some propensity for turbulance though.





The wind generally blows in the afternoon due to convection and some ocean influence, the site is located in Napa, CA about 20 miles from the huge new wind farm in in Solano County.  There are 90+ 1.8 mW Vestas that stand 250' tall. Here is a short clip if you have good bandwidth.

http://www.otherpower.com/images/scimages/2397/90_Vestas_in_CA.mpg

I would like to test a HAWT design using the Art Randolph 8' blades.





In conjunction with a 4th generation reconfigured F&P washing machine motor. Hopefully it will stand up to the severe winter winds.

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2004/7/11/164138/703

This combination seems like it would be good for low wind speed, cost and avoid alot of construction.  

I'm also somewhat intrigued by the Turby helical VAWT, which might be good for the turbulents, PDF specs here;

http://www.turby.nl/downloads/Turby%20ENG.pdf

I have minimal time available for constuction so winding my own generator and making blades is pretty much out.

Comments appreciated!

Adrian Ogden

aogden@sbcglobal.net

[domwild]

Nice photos! Thanks for that. Where did you get the idea for the three props from? Are they hollow alum?

[aogden]

Here is more scoop on the blades, they are suggested to produce up to 750 watts hopefully still available at elsieart@ozarkmountains.com

Also see http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/4/2/16579/84511

Adrian