Prototype of a domestic wind generator with affordable materials in El Salvador

Abstract

This research work has a result the design and construction of an aero turbine with a low cost vertical axis with the purpose of check the technical and economic feasibility of the implementation of this prototype in applications of generating eolian energy on a small scale in El Salvador.

Different models of turbines were created to compare their efficiency, being the most successful one the rotor with vertical axis one with four semicircular blades that are able to work from 5 km/h gentle winds. On the other hand, it was also experimented with generators of alternating or direct current in order to look for the best relationship among the economic cost and the energetic production. During the process, some concepts related to the topic were tested as they are popular in the internet. This concluded to demystify the variability of the alternators that were modified by adding permanent circular magnets of them.

The results also showed that the direct current motors can be set up to generate enough energy to illuminate a small house by using LED spotlights. However, its feasibility can also be questioned due the weather change happening in the world that causes little wind in El Salvador blocking the eolian generation.