For the past 6 months or so, I've been working with the owner of our company on a wind energy project, specificically, to realise his dream of a Twin Vertical Axis Wind Turbine. We both have an interest in wind energy (although my favourite are definately the huge "Danish style" 3-bladed horizontal axis machines), and so with the help of a local construction company who is the first customer, the project is geting underway.

2004.11.15 - Construction Site
I visited the construction site last winter during the construction of the 10 m x 5 m diameter tower which the turbine will be seated on.


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2005.05.31 - Tower Components
Today I visited the fabricator of the tower sections, since they are too large for us to build in-house. Each rotor section is 3 m tall, 1 m diameter. 6 rotor sections make up each of the two rotorstacks. 3, 6 metre tower sections make up the centre portion of the turbine.


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Looking forward to seeing the rest of it come together. Things always look so much bigger in real life than they do on your computer screen! I've been looking at this thing for months and it's crazy to start to see the bits come together.

-Iain

Hi Iain, seems like you have a VERY interesting job!
Thanks for all the nice pics!

Thanks, Nouseforaname - By trade I'm a mechanical designer but this is an "after work" project for both of us. Our company builds robots and automation for the plastics industry. The owner knew I had a strong interest in wind energy, so he asked me if I'd be his "Chief of Design" so to speak. But you're right, every day is interesting and a new challenge.

-Iain