Vertical windmills are not a recent concept. In fact, despite that we are accustomed to seeing horizontal axis windmills, the first windmills introduced were the vertical ones. The first functional types were invented in the 9th century, but their design has modified very much over the years to obtain a higher efficiency from them.
Vertical windmills have a number of benefits. One of them is the low sound that they make. Horizontal windmills normally are extremely noisy, a fact that is proven by their settlements in non-populated or low populated areas with not a lot of habitats around. Due to their silent work, vertical windmills are most of the times used by humans for their houses, cities or commercial buildings.
Another advantage that vertical windmills have is that they can catch additional wind than horizontal windmills. No matter the direction from which the wind blows, vertical windmills can capture it and convert it into energy. We can not say the same about the horizontal axis form windmills.
A vertical windmill is less difficult to maintain. It’s also secured to do it, also. We owe this to the fact that the position of the generator is at the ground level. Since it is in such a handy place and simple to repair, we save a lot more time & energy when we give it maintenance or when we repair it.
Using the vertical windmills’ design also brings benefits for the birds. Birds sometimes fly into the horizontal axis windmill. From this point of view the vertical axis type is secured and there’re least possibilities for birds to fly into its blades.
Vertical windmills can also have an extremely anesthetic look, as they could be adapted to the surrounding area. They don’t have a pre-established pattern to pursue when building them. You can find them in various shapes.
The commonest vertical windmills are the Savonius & the Darrieus. The Savonius windmill is mainly used for pumping the water or for grain grinding. If you consider it from above, you notice that its shape is the one of the letter “S”. Contrary to the Savonius, the Darrieus windmill is used for producing electrical energy and not for pumping water. Its blades are in shape of the letter “C”, providing it the aspect of an eggbeater.
We live in a world where the electrical power is not just starting to become increasingly more expensive, but we’re also becoming more conscious that various sources that produce it are affecting the environment. Begin thinking at building your own vertical or even horizontal axis windmill so that you can save money and help save the Earth in the process.
