Initial Approach
To understand the possibilities and capabilities of a wind machine, we started a research process that does not stop up to date.
Understanding the wind as a resource for energy, as well as understanding the theory of power and electricity was part of our starting point.
As part of the same research we explore the differences between HAWT and VAWT and its implications; advantages and disadvantages.
Turbine – Propellor
The selection of VAWT was after mainly two instances:
1. Direction of the Wind does not affect its efficiency, understanding that is less efficient that the HAWT.
2. The verticality can be, somehow, fit easily into our initial conversations for the Valldaura intervention. [ The verticality and its possibility of defined shape as an element by itself identificable.
Valldaura
We decided to create an intervention without interfering with the actual house, working with our wind machine as an external element to the house, which not only creates useful energy but also helps in creating and defining new spaces outside Valldaura and such might help to incorporate the surrounding landscape into the existing building.
The verticality of the turbine resemble the verticality of the trees surrounding the house as a strong elements creating those new energy generator elements as part of the ecosystem.
How to?
Light is one of the most common result of energy creation, this is how we tested our turbines.
Light Box
We can create elements that generate light, our first idea was create a light boxes which will work together as a integrated system creating a Venturi effect on the edges. but our goal is to find ways to incorporate these elements into the natural landscape and existing home in Valldaura, a specific purpose beyond the light created.
The SMART Farmer
The SMART farmer started after a discussion with Rodrigo Rubio, who suggested some different ways of integration for our system beyond the light.
After the conversation with Smart Citizen members, began developing a new concept based on its principles, but in this case for urban dwellers but for the natural environment.
Our goal is to create a device which can collect at this stage a specific data like the conditions of the soil in real time and our device can react according to the data and release what the soil requires. All of this operated by the energy produced with our wind machine.
Testing
At this stage we are testing the different combinations of elements and testing the best relation between height – weight – size – to follow with the final design according to the final components and its best efficiency.
Different turbines have been created and analysed. In addition to their different mechanisms and different ways of mounting and assembly always looking for the most efficient way possible.
A careful study about sizes of the motors, different component, dimensions of propellers, etc, has been developed mostly through testing and researching.
The last prototype is intended to help understand better the height and location of the propellers and the incorporation of the lights and the SMART Farmer components.
Conclusions:
After various analyzes with different propellers, starting from one large and very inefficient, we began to reduce their size, improving their design, its aerodynamics components improving efficiency, with the idea of incorporating their final use in light boxes which collaborated mutually creating the Venturi effect, or totems of light that make up the landscape of Valldaura creating places that are not yet defined on the outside.
These elements marked by its verticality, move to agricultural areas Valldaura and came to the idea of Smart Farmer, a Smart Citizen inspired but with a specific function within agriculture, such as soil pH obtained device, and generate injecting the stabilizing mechanism.
Given the complex development that this requires and taking into account the time we have, we decided to focus only developing the mini-propeller, getting its minimum size, generated in a 3D printer, at low cost, faster and fully functional, super efficient. Our goal is to achieve a device with a good design, efficient, portable, easy to install and useful in different applications, the idea is that the mini 3D propeller can continue its development towards Smart Farmer, Smart Citizen, light boxes, or multiple uses according to its necessities and requirements.
Elena Mitrofanova | Aditya Kadabi | Gustavo Triana