Our first idea was to create a generator of energy by wind, which does not necessarily interfere
with the existing building but rather could be sued or adapted according to different needs and
requirements.

We consider the verticality as an element to be developed within the aesthetic capabilities of a
purely mechanical system and simultaneously exploit the flexibility benefit of not needing to be
addressed the wind turbine according to downwind.

Our first prototype:
We putted in place everything we have investigated. the making and testing process, the
properties, the advantages and the problems we found when we were making our first prototype,
we found different problems regarding three main factors:
1. Proportion and Dimensions.
2. Geometry
3. Mechanics

[ At this stage, electronics were not important component of the making process however we have
tested the production of energy].

Conclusions:
We focus on improving the design of the wind turbine towards efficiency. Understand its geometry
and to create something pleasant for the viewer.
The design of the wind turbine become our main objective because we need to produce certain
amount of energy where aesthetics and functionality become our main objective.
Our ideas of intervention required a series of small wind turbines which means, solving this issue,
our ideas of intervention will be realizable.

Valldaura as a place of intervention.

Walking through Valldaura we found some existing natural tensions that bind the building
structures and the green structures that are not fully tapped but have created continuity and
connection.

Our intervention was conceived as something that should incorporate the surrounding landscape
into the existing building.
We went trough different approaches were we incorporated basic concepts of vertical elements
were you can combine a series of small wind turbines [ VAWT ].

After Mid-Term presentation the conclusion was to focus in the develop of the smallest and efficient
Wind Turbine we can produce based in our research and the initial idea of the combination of
many of them to produce energy in a serie system or parallel system.
For the initial testing and analysis we had developed series of 3D models by hand using digital
tools like laser cutters but we decide to focus our research using exclusively 3D printer machine
which allow us to produce the complete kit [ only electronics comes apart ] easy to assemble and
to generate something that could be printed and used anyplace in the world with basic
instructions.

DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS
The design is based in 3 wings wind turbine. The wings have been change it according to aerodynamic analysis, air flow calculations, and empiric test with some prototypes.
Prototypes have been made in two 3D printer machines: Makerbot and the Project 1500. Project 1500 allow us to have more definition on the surface and on the edges, which makes huge improvement in aerodynamics.
The thickness of the wings are going to be tested in the Project printer 1500, because the delays from the availability of the 3D printer machine. We decided to test the thickness in other components of the project like the fairing and structural components. We found we can decrease the thickness of the wings to 1 mm which is going to reduce the weight, wind resistance, therefore the speed of the wind turbine.

We have tested gears system with the conclusion of avoid to use it at this stage because the huge
increase in the momentum -torque-, any benefit using gears are not reflected.

With the connection of two propellers we can charge 4 batteries AA and be able to charge any
kind of electronic of 5V like MP3 music [iPod] , Smart Phones [iPhone], Tablet [iPad], Systems
based on Arduino [Smart Citizen] any kind of system based in USB charger.
Even they required 500mAh – 600mAh to get charge, we are looking for stepper or jumper
systems which are not available in Barcelona like mintyboost or similar.
The lack of Amperes means the time of charging the batteries is going to be longer than with
more mAh.

 THE FINAL PROTOTYPE

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