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DIY Science Projects

4-blade wind turbine (or 3)

This DIY project allows you to build a small wind turbine with blades that are profiled like those of the 'big ones'. With the help of a motor coupled to a gearbox, both of which are used in reverse mode, it is even possible to produce enough electricity to light a small LED.

Wind energy is exploited on a large scale in our neighbouring countries of Austria and Germany, which already produce 10% and 22% of their electricity respectively thanks to the wind. In Switzerland, this share is currently only 0.24% (2021), whereas the target of the Confederation's 2050 Strategy is almost 7%. According to a 2022 study commissioned by the Confederation, Switzerland could even produce 14% of its electricity from wind energy.

The canton of Vaud, for its part, is one of the regions of Switzerland (plateau and Jura) with the greatest wind energy potential. The overall objective of the canton is to produce between 12% and 25% of the cantonal electricity consumption. The development of this energy resource is therefore logically part of the priority objectives of the canton and will have to be carried out in line with other territorial interests, such as the landscape or biodiversity.

Wind energy is one of the solutions that will enable Switzerland to switch to almost exclusively renewable electricity production, thus contributing to the fight against global warming and to our energy independence. Moreover, wind energy is particularly well suited to complement other renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, hydropower and geothermal energy, to achieve the goal of a 100% renewable electricity supply in the future


Difficulty
Difficult
Duration
3h
Rating
5/5
Price
~ 15 CHF
Testimonials
0

Building

4 blades wind turbine

On a piece of paper, draw a square of 53cm on each side and its diagonals.   Place the large pipe in the centre of the square ...Cut (with a pair of pliers or a saw) along the lines to form 4 identical curved strips.Print the template (blade pattern) and cut it out.   Transfer the template shape and the two holes to the curved side of ...For each strip: drill the two holes with a 3mm drill bit and cut along the line with a tin snips, working from end to end.   ...Place a blade with the curved side up on one of the branches of the cross and pierce it using the two holes as guides.   Pass ...Assemble the motor reducer kit.   Cut the metal rod to 1.5 cm and insert the rod through one of the large gears.   Insert ...Strip the wires from the motor and the LED.   Connect the wires using small cable ends and insulate with electrical ...Drill a hole in the plastic connection tube with an 8mm drill bit just before the centre.Pass the LED through the hole and push the motor/reducer block into the tube.Pass two M3 screws 3cm through the two holes of the reducer block and screw nuts on the other side until they touch the ...Use a cutter to clear the connector and its two screws from its plastic sheath.Cut one of the two screws in half to reduce its length (this prevents the screw from hitting the long screw that goes ...Drill a hole with a M5 drill bit at 5cm from one end of the smaller 35cm tube.   At the other end, cut two slits of about 4cm ...On the M5 screw 40mm long, place 1 ball bearing, 1 washer and 1 nut.Tighten the nut making sure the screw remains in the ...Push the assembly with the ball bearing into the longer tube until the nut is flush.Add a washer and pass the screw ...

3-blades wind turbine (variant)

Wind turbines are today mostly three-blade models.Theoretically, a single-blade wind turbine would be the most ...Print and transfer the template (3-blade template) onto the forex board and cut out the edges.   On the curved side, ...Drill the centre of the template with a M3 drill bit.Place a washer on an M3x1cm screw and insert the screw through the ...