CAT- DAY 2

WINDPOWER 20/02/2018

On the second day of theory the students went on a hike where they were introduced to the accessible community wind turbines:

The 75kW Vestas V17 turbine and a brand new 500kW machine which belongs to an association of local investors demonstrating on how CAT has encouraged the local communities interest to generate renewable energy.

An old MS-2 Turbine is exhibited at ground level with cut holes in the cabin at the center of the blades ( side of the nacelle )

which displays the working parts inside and

gives some idea to visitors on larger scale turbines.

The wind turbines around CAT vary from tiny turbines of a foot across which can be used to charge a battery on a boat or caravan, through to mid-range turbines which can be used to produce power for a remote cottage,

up to large scale turbines that can generate sufficient energy for nearly 200 homes.

Although traditionally wind power is focused on mechanical tasks such as milling, pumping and sawing the technology has become an important generator of renewable energy. The small wind generators (Marlec FM 1800) supply electricity to the eco-cabins at CAT with a maximum output of 250 watts used for functions such as powering lights, small refrigerators etc.

Bound at the entrance to the wind pavilion are two

multi-blade windmills used for water-pumping;

whereby one is still used to pump water while the

other is modified creating a wind seat which

demonstrates the power of wind directly.

Wind turbines generate very little to no pollution after manufacture and installation and require low maintenance, however they generate high amounts of noise pollution that can be heard from uptown a hundred meters away.

The varied ranges of wind turbines and its uses were presented to the students in detail with a clear understanding on how each turbine operates providing a particular function.

EMERGENCY SHELTER

For the practical session the students

were split into 2 groups to design a

emergency shelter with limited timber beams and bamboo logs along with nails, wooden boards and tools that were integrated while designing the emergency shelter.

We initially designed a floor by joining wooden boards together to create a supporting base for the primary structure.

The team proceeded to measure an appropriate height for the primary structure and sawed the timber beams and bamboo logs to measure.

Supporting 4 bamboo logs to the base at all 4 corners we created a triangular shape on opposite sides.

We tied the center points of the 2 triangular

structures with a long timber beam using some

rope creating a ridge to increase stability of the structure.

To achieve a stronger structure we added in 2 more timber beams at the center on each side of the ridge, which was created by the long timber beam, and horizontally tied 2 bamboo logs to the additional timber beams on each

side using some rope.

Finally we tied 2 long timber beams to the ridge at an angle for complete structural strength and stability creating our emergency shelter, which we completed after enveloping it with a multi-purpose tarpaulin.

This practical experience gave each student an opportunity to develop their skills and understanding on emergency shelters and consider the importance and uses of these shelters

for specific types of situations such as natural or man-made

disasters or domestic violence.