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Welcome to WE2024 The Wind Empowerment International Conference on Small Wind Turbines 2024 is a day-conference organized by the Wind Empowerment association in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Research Group (RURERG) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Smart grids Research Unit of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the NTUA (SmartRUE). The event is hosted at the Metsovion Interdisciplinary Research Center (MIRC) of the NTUA, in the village of Metsovo. This scientific and small wind enthusiast event aims at raising Small Wind Turbines (SWT) issues from the field to the scientific community, highlight scientific works applicable to the field and finally make connections within the SWT community. There will be a particular focus on :
This event is part of the Wind Empowerment biannual conference, which is taking place in Ionnina, Epirus, Greece from the 5th to the 13th of october 2024. It is open to researchers, practitioners and university students involved in small wind. The conference is funded by the Wind Empowerment association. Program Coffee @ 10:00 EEST (Eastern European Summer Time, UTC +3) Session 1 : SWT Manufacturing and Design1. Local modifications to the Hugh Piggot small wind turbine models in Côte d'Ivoire Hugh Piggot pioneered the idea of harvesting available and affordable recycled components to build units that provide power to people who don't have access to the electrical grid. Based on this approach and the basic principles from Hugh’s Recipe Book, Karana has develop a small 227 watt 1 meter turbine using locally recycled magnets, metal, and wood that is affordable to local Ivorian a especially against the high cost of solar in Côte d'Ivoire. Hé will share his methods of sharing this technology and recent progress and problems with the introduction of 1500 Watt 3.6m wind turbines across the country In regions like Sri Lanka, where high humidity and temperature fluctuations are prevalent, wooden blades are prone to changes in width and overall power generation efficiency. This presentation introduces an innovative technique of coating wooden wind blades with a gel coat to mitigate these challenges. The gel coat provides a protective layer, enhancing the wind blades' durability and performance by stabilizing the wood against environmental changes. This approach not only extends the lifespan of wooden wind blades but also ensures consistent performance in variable climates, making it a valuable solution for high-humidity regions. 3. 3D Printing of small wind turbine blades at the NTUA In the SmartRUE lab, a commercial 3D printer was modified to increase its z-axis capacity, enabling the production of 60 cm long small wind turbine blades, or blade parts, in a single print. This modification facilitated the use of complex and optimized airfoil designs, surpassing the limitations of hand-carved wooden blades. The printed blades were tested for robustness and durability, both in wind tunnel experiments, for a 1.2 m diameter rotor, and at the NTUA small wind turbine test site, for a 1.2 and 3 m diameter rotor. 4. What if wind turbines could be easy? Modular 3D-printed wind turbines of 2 to 4m diameter. From Waste To Wind designs and builds a range of wind turbines that are easy to build, set-up and maintain. All parts (blades, generator, e.g.) can be made with basic power tools and a 3D-printer, eradicating the need for welding and resin casting. This makes the Waste-To-Windturbines fully modular and recyclable. Next to providing a general overview of the designs, this presentation will focus on material choices and show an alternative way of furling (based on the work of Adriaan Kragten). Coffee Break @ 11:40 EEST 5. Design, optimization and manufacturing of an axial flux permanent magnet generator for a 1 kW wind turbine This work summarizes the design optimization and construction process of a 1 kW axial flux generator based on the Hugh Piggot model. The results go from the initial design, analysis, and optimization by software, prototyping, and testing. Small pieces of laminated electrical steel were embedded in the stator coils to increase the generator power. 6. Democratizing Small Wind Through Open Source Computer-Aided Design Computer-aided design software, namely FreeCAD, enables three key features in OpenAFPM, open-access online design tools for locally manufactured small wind turbines: (1) a 3D web-based visualization, (2) laser-cutting flat steel and plywood parts, and (3) construction information such as dimensions and part count. FreeCAD’s open-source license allows anyone with a modern computer to inspect, extend, and modify the model. 7. Developing an Open-Source Battery with Inspiration from Piggott Turbines Many different enterprises are competing in closed silos with proprietary technologies to try to unlock affordable, sustainable stationary energy storage for providing around-the-clock renewable energy. Our group, the Flow Battery Research Collective (https://fbrc.dev), is trying to develop an open-source alternative to achieve this goal. By leveraging the advantages of open-source communities, we hope to efficiently develop a practical design for a flow battery capable of providing energy storage services on the residential level. An initial plan for the technological and community development of this effort will be presented, taking inspiration from the development and ongoing community around Piggott-style small wind turbines. Lunch Break @ 13:00 EEST Session 2 : Renewable Energy Education8. Construction of a Piggott turbine in Haiti: Overcoming barriers and persisting in the face of social, political and economic challenges The construction of a wind turbine at a school in Haiti was beset by numerous challenges, including political and social unrest, supply chain challenges and security risks for visiting experts. This presentation will outline how we overcame these challenges, including the multi annual development timeline, as well as our vision for the future, contingent on security and safety reinforcing and solidifying in the country. 9. APEX: An educational smart grid using locally manufactured small wind turbines The "APEX-Smart Management Hub of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency" project aims to integrate scientific knowledge on modern energy systems, renewable sources, and smart grids into secondary education. The initiative emphasizes environmental awareness and aligns educational content with relevant curricula. Key activities include developing educational visits to energy hubs, designing two physical hubs in Sivitanidio and Mytilene, and utilizing online tools. The project engaged students in hands-on activities like building a small wind turbine, fostering critical thinking and active participation in sustainable energy solutions. 10. Green energy kits at the Fablab WInam in Kenya This is an environment-friendly learning kit that contains electrical and electronic components that can be used for a variety of STEM projects.It is powered by a small solar system that comprises of solar panel, battery, charge controller and inverter. It also has components such as sensors, It was designed to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields by inspiring young girls to pursue careers in the sustainable energy sector,Creating awareness on solar energy and its role in addressing environmental challenges and help bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas in the industry. development board, and other electronics that are meant to be used for various IoT projects. Coffee Break @ 15:40 EEST Session 3 : Small Wind Ecosystems11. African European Maker Innovation Ecosystem-mAkE Makerspaces are indispensable in today's world, acting as catalysts for sustainable solutions to current and future challenges. Despite significant advancements in education, economic empowerment, and community resilience, these spaces face their own set of challenges. They often struggle with isolation from government agendas and policies, lack recognition for their contributions, and experience insufficient collaboration among themselves, particularly on a transcontinental scale. The mAkE project offers a range of opportunities, including the development of common policies between Africa and Europe, enhanced collaboration among makerspaces, Venture Building, Open Catalogue of Business Model,Skills -Mutual Recognition Standard, makerspace open toolkits, and the map of machinery to help makerspaces gain visibility and promote their activities globally. https://makeafricaeu.org/ 12. Valorization of Small Wind Energy in Benin : Inventory of Fixtures and Perpectives This study provides a comprehensive overview of the energy landscape in Benin, with a particular focus on rural electrification and the current status of small wind energy technology. Initially, the overall energy situation in Benin is outlined, highlighting key challenges and opportunities. The analysis then shifts to rural electrification efforts, examining the progress made and the barriers encountered. Special attention is given to the implementation of small wind energy systems in the country, where recent actions, outcomes, and lessons learned are critically assessed. Finally, the study explores future prospects for wind energy development in Benin, proposing strategies to enhance sustainable energy access in rural areas. 13. Maintaining an aging fleet of small wind turbines in France 14. Research by (collaborative) design: urban wind Coffee Break @ 17:20 EEST Session 4 : Sustainability15. Exploring the sustainability of grassroots small wind innovation: the technology, the organisation(s) and the niche 16. An open framework for technico-environmental optimization of small wind turbine systems 17. Innovative approaches to sustainable energy solutions in Rhino Camp, Uganda 18. Waste2Light: Unlocking Sustainable Energy for Underserved Communities Waste2Light empowers underserved Nigerian communities through sustainable energy and waste management, aligning with Wind Empowerment's mission. Our innovative approach transforms plastic, agro-waste, and scrapyard materials into natural fibers for wind and hydro turbines, promoting afforestation and reducing waste. We leverage 3D technology for sustainable energy generation, fostering community development through job creation and economic growth. By showcasing Waste2Light, we aim to share knowledge on sustainable wind and hydro energy solutions, collaborate with stakeholders, and empower communities to adopt innovative waste management and energy generation practices. End of Event @ 19:00 EEST Previous editions |
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