rethinking design - Spatial Design@Massey

ethinking design
Windmills and Wind Turbines
Wind is a fantastic source of renewable energy for people in both
developing and first world communities. Wind power may not be able
to meet all of a homes energy requirements but it can be very
beneficial in lowering power bills or providing basic electricity for
communities with unreliable, or no grid connections and low energy
needs. Commercial wind power systems are still very expensive but
it is possible to make simple, low cost wind turbines out of locally
sourced scrap materials such as old car parts (fig.10). William
Kamkwamba, for example, built his family a wind turbine with 4
blades when he was only 14 years old from materials as basic as a
basket frame, pulley and plastic pipes (fig.11). This wind turbine
generated enough power to run 4 lights and 2 radios around the
home.
Fig.10
Fig.11
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating is a simple and effective way to make use of the
suns energy. Solar water heaters can be as simple as placing a
hose on the roof or can be constructed more thoroughly with a piping
system welded onto a copper sheet to trap the suns energy. They
can be successfully implemented in any location that gets a fair
amount of sunlight, to easily meet the hot water needs of a small
family. Like several other examples shown, solar water heaters can
make use of waste products to provide renewable energy, saving
both the environment and reducing power costs for families.
Fig.12
Fig.13