This is a fairly inexpensive way to generate power from intermittent wind. This isn’t going to power your computer, but it is an interesting concept. I would like to see hundreds of these used to generate power at a more usable level.
Read more about an Intermittent Wind Generator
4 thoughts on “Intermittent Wind Generator”
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The electricity required to produce the aluminum used in the device is more than the device will ever produce.
Not saying this is a bad idea, just be sure that when you are dealing with a micro-producer that you take into account the real costs of the system and whether the design goals are actually met.
I like that idea. If I’m reading this right, gravity pulls the magnets back down after a gust of wind pulls the magnets up. Wouldn’t it be better to use a weak spring of some kind, both above and below the magnet to make the output more consistent? The kite tugs the line, compresses the spring and pulls the magnet across the coils. When the gust dies down, the energy stored in the springs (compressed spring above, stretched below) causes the magnet to oscillate a bit back and forth. Hopefully long enough for another breeze to come by and start it over again.