Wind Turbines Built From Scratch - A First For BTCV
A wind turbine constructed from used materials, practically demonstrates the potential of wind power as a sustainable and clean source of energy.
Conservation Volunteers, along with two high schools in Larne, County Antrim, constructed a fully functioning 500 watt wind turbine to be erected in the grounds of Larne High School. Energy generated from the turbine will be stored in two large batteries, containing the potential capacity needed to run a classroom computer.
The construction demanded skills such as welding, wood carving and electrical circuitry. One of the pupils involved from Larne High School incorporated the project into his work for his technology A level. Pupils from the other school involved, St. Comgall’s College, found the course to be very interesting and introduced them in a very direct way to the potential of wind power. This technology will become increasingly important in the coming years. Some pupils may even be directly involved in their career as Larne is the home of a wind turbine factory - windy place that it is!
There was a lot of enthusiasm for the project, especially the carving of the blades. The excitement was even greater when the pupils the hooked the turbine to an ammeter and got a reading as they spun the rotor by hand for the first time. Both pupils and teachers at the 2 schools involved found the project both novel and stimulating.
The idea for the wind turbine first came about when Conservation Volunteers were consulting the schools about potential projects as part of the Environments for All scheme. It seemed an ideal opportunity to promote cross community co-operation whilst teaching environmental issues such as resource depletion, climate change and renewable energy.
The project was part of the ‘Environments for All’ project in Larne, which was funded by the European Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.