Campaign 102: Harness the Wind
The Complete Windmill, Wind Power, and Mechanical Wind Energy Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
Wind is free, perpetual energy. Windmills have ground grain, pumped water, sawed lumber, and generated electricity for over 1,000 years. A simple water-pumping windmill can be built from scrap materials and will pump thousands of gallons per day with zero fuel cost. This campaign covers windmill types, blade design, tower construction, water pumping, and electrical generation.
Part I: Wind Energy Fundamentals
Chapter 1: Windmill Types
| Type | Use | Complexity | Output | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-pumping windmill | Pumps water from wells | Moderate | 500-5000 gallons/day | Livestock water, irrigation, domestic |
| Grain mill (post mill) | Grinds grain to flour | Complex | 50-200 lbs flour/hour | Community grain processing |
| Savonius (vertical axis) | Low-speed mechanical work, pumping | Simple (DIY) | Low power, high torque | Water pumping, ventilation |
| Horizontal axis (propeller) | Electricity generation | Moderate-Complex | 100W-10kW | Battery charging, household power |
| Sail windmill (Mediterranean) | Grain milling, water pumping | Moderate | Variable | Coastal, consistent wind areas |
Chapter 2: Wind Speed and Power
| Wind Speed (mph) | Description | Power Available (per sq ft of rotor) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-7 | Calm to light breeze | Negligible | Nothing practical |
| 8-12 | Gentle to moderate breeze | 0.5-1.5 watts | Small water pumping |
| 13-18 | Fresh breeze | 2-5 watts | Water pumping, small electric |
| 19-24 | Strong breeze | 6-12 watts | Grain milling, larger electric |
| 25-31 | Near gale | 14-25 watts | Full production (furl in gusts) |
| 32+ | Gale | 28+ watts | Too dangerous — furl/brake |
POWER RULE: Wind power increases with the CUBE of wind speed. Doubling wind speed = 8x the power. Location matters enormously. Hilltops, ridgelines, and open plains are ideal.
Chapter 3: DIY Water-Pumping Windmill
| Component | Materials | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Blades | Sheet metal, wood, or PVC pipe | 6-12 blades, 4-8 ft diameter |
| Hub | Steel plate or heavy wood disk | Blades bolt to hub at 10-15 degree pitch |
| Tail vane | Sheet metal on wooden arm | Keeps rotor facing into wind |
| Tower | Steel pipe, angle iron, or wood | Height: 30 ft minimum (above obstacles) |
| Pump rod | Steel rod, connects rotor to pump | Converts rotation to reciprocating (up-down) motion |
| Pump | Cylinder pump at bottom of well | Standard well pump, leather or rubber seals |
| Foundation | Concrete pad or buried anchors | Must resist overturning force in high wind |
Chapter 4: DIY Wind Electric Generator
| Component | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blades | Carved wood (3 blades), PVC pipe | 6-12 ft diameter for 500W-2kW |
| Generator | Car alternator (modified), permanent magnet motor, DIY coil/magnet | Permanent magnet = most efficient |
| Tail/yaw | Hinged tail with furling mechanism | Furls (turns sideways) in high wind for protection |
| Tower | Guyed steel pipe, tilt-up for maintenance | 30-60 ft height. Tilt-up allows ground-level service. |
| Controller | Charge controller (same as solar) | Prevents battery overcharge |
| Batteries | Deep cycle lead-acid or lithium | Store energy for calm periods |
| Inverter | 12V/24V/48V DC to 120V AC | Powers standard household appliances |
Chapter 5: The Practitioner Wind Power Reference Card
HEIGHT IS EVERYTHING: Wind speed increases with height above ground. A windmill at 60 ft gets 2x the wind of one at 15 ft. That's 8x the power (cube rule). Build tall.
WATER PUMPING IS EASIEST: A multi-blade water-pumping windmill is the simplest, most reliable wind machine. It runs unattended, pumps thousands of gallons daily, and can be built from scrap.
3 BLADES FOR ELECTRICITY: Electric generators need high RPM. Three long, narrow blades spin fast. Water-pumping mills use 6-12 wide blades for high torque at low speed. Different jobs, different designs.
FURLING SAVES THE MILL: Every windmill needs a mechanism to turn out of the wind in storms. Without furling, high winds destroy the machine. Hinged tail vanes furl automatically.
REMEMBER: Wind is free energy that blows every day. A Practitioner with a windmill on a hilltop has water pumped from deep wells, grain ground to flour, batteries charged for lights and tools, and mechanical power for any task — all without fuel, all without cost, all from the air itself.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete wind energy sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 102 is complete.