TheBackShed.com

Forum Index : Windmills : Wind power from freeway turbulance?

Author

Message

Mikey7534
Newbie

Joined: 04/03/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 2

Posted: 08:59pm 03 Mar 2010

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

I live next to a busy freeway with a 25 foot soundwall. Talking with the guy next door over beers one night, I asked the question, "do you think if you put up a windmill next to that wall if I could get enough wind to power my house?" He said maybe, so I got busying looking up info and found this site. The wall is on my property and the freeway is no more then 20 feet from the wall on the other side. This is a major freeway through my city, and there is traffic of all kinds 24 hours a day. Does anyone else think that this could work?

I need more tools!

KarlJ

Guru

Joined: 19/05/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1178

Posted: 10:23pm 03 Mar 2010

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

not unless the wall is creating some kind of funnel to the turbine and even then it will be turbulent, which is almost useless with any kind of turbine that runs a TSR higher than 1. ie a 44gallon drum type turbine might do some good but i really doubt it.

I think a feeway is good as there are no trees and if your prevailing wind comes from that direction and you can get some elevation would be better than nestled in amongst the rooftops.

Wind power is a fickle thing, smooth air at a relatively constant speed is the go thus anything residential is tough

Luck favours the well prepared

Mikey7534
Newbie

Joined: 04/03/2010
Location: United States
Posts: 2

Posted: 10:45pm 03 Mar 2010

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

Thanks for the info. I was noticing that the trees that are there are constantly moving. I thougt maybe one of them windmills that have the vertical blades would be the way to go, seeing as they catch the wind from any angle, not te actual windmill that most people are used too.

I need more tools!

Downwind

Guru

Joined: 09/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 2333

Posted: 11:09pm 03 Mar 2010

Copy link to clipboard

Print this post

It would be best to build a mini mill like some of the students are and test your theory as it will teach you a lot and may change your mind on what direction to take if at all.

A mini mill can be a fickle thing and is no real difference than a big mill except for the cost.

As Karl said turbulent air is about as useful as no wind.
If you have flown in a plane and hit turbulence think about how the plane falls in the sky as the air pressure no longer holds the plane up ...well the same sort of thing happens with a mill except the blades stop turning or wont start at all.

Pete.

Sometimes it just works

Print this page

To reply to this topic, you need to log in.