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It always strikes me as odd to watch a documentary featuring a few semi-frostbitten mountain climbers huddled together in a tiny tent, waiting out a fierce blizzard that could last days, when the power that is trying to blow them away could be harnessed to provide all the energy they need.
Using
a few chunks of plastic, and modern permanent magnet alternator, it’d easily be possible to build a small wind turbine that would only weigh a few kilograms, but still generate enough power to heat insulated enclosures, like sleeping bags. Even 50 watts of heat could make a huge difference in these circumstances.
The great thing about this idea, is that when you need the power most, you have it.
Personal windfarm
http://www.halfbake...Personal_20windfarm
Hello? [phoenix, Oct 04 2004]
Katabatic wind power
http://web.archive....0Power_20Generation
UB deleted this one in a fit of pique. But it caught my fancy. I can still picture the windmills and the ancient city, lit by the aurora and flickering Jacob's Ladders. [bungston, Nov 03 2012]
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Also to melt snow for tea and compress thin air to breathe. |
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I had to vote against. I hope you understand. |
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The high velocity of the winds in the polar regions (and the low temps) would probably require this to be big and heavy. Still, with a simple and sturdy design, this is a great idea. |
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Excellent idea. We often hear reference to using large stretches of uninhabited desert to construct solar panels. But what about those frigid, bitterly cold places full of howling, screeching wind? |
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Windfarms in the Antarctic or bristling from mountain sides, pumping out an almost constant supply of power! The temperatures might even make superconducting technology possible. |
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Hmm interesting idea, I'm not sure mountain climbers would add even half a kilo of weight in exchange for warmth, but those people are nuts a small wind turbine that could be set up outside a tent for winter camping sounds like a great idea to me. |
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I don't see how phoenix' is the same idea as this one. |
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In the Golan Heights, the army does this with a tiny
unit used to power a complete camp. The winds are
constant and high speed. The only thing is that the
whirring sound can drive you crazy. |
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So the "turbine" can easily be tiny and lightweight
(but has to withstand these extremely fast and strong
winds). So perhaps this wouldn't even have to weigh
that much. |
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In Polar regions, this could be practical. |
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For mountaineering, supporting and/or guying
the turbine would be rather more
problematic. However, since the wind is
strong, the structure doesn't need to be tall to
be fully effective. |
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Could be integrated into the tent structure. |
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The only reason giant wind turbines have to shut down at
high speeds is because they'd tear themselves apart. I'm
told (and by that I mean that somebody who works up
there
actually told me this) that there's a tiny (roughly 18" dia)
ducted turbine atop Mt Washington that can power a few
light bulbs and a laptop and runs even in the highest
recorded winds up there. |
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Sorry for the slow reply [phoenix]. Just looked at your
idea. Small wind turbine, so pretty similar in that
respect. Mine is specialized for a certain purpose:
freezing conditions, thin air, howling winds and no
significant energy storage system. I suggested it to a mountaineer in the 90's who loved it and wondered why
it wasn't available to him. Had no clue about your
turbine. Sorry to have upset you on that point and I
hope you will reconsider your vote. |
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A wind turbine held aloft by a kite might be good for this. I
haven't seen them catch on yet, but they exist. |
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