Engineer hopes wind will generate power and profits
- developing 400-watt prototype
Stabroek News
May 9, 2004
Andy Moore's prototype windmill in Festival City.
Anidan, an engineering firm in North Ruimveldt, is aiming to produce small wind generators, with a maximum output of 400 watts, for domestic use.
Andy Moore, Anidan's General Manager, told Stabroek News yesterday that he intends to produce the unit first for himself and then for sale to home-owners. He believes the time is right given the current high fuel prices.
He hopes to perfect his design for use locally and said that all the designs have taken Guyana's local wind conditions into consideration. He told Stabroek News that the units would be able to power a small fridge, a computer, some lights and a television or stereo.
The units would be mounted on a tower, the height of which would depend on the area of the residence, Moore said.
Moore has installed a prototype of the windmill at his business in Festival City.
Moore reads the output levels. (Photo by Aubrey Crawford)
He said that although at that location the windmill spins at low speeds he is able to monitor the design and engineering as the blades spin and monitor the amps generated. He said from that location the windmill is only able to produce 150 rpm.
He said he has already started to make engineering changes to the production model.
Moore has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts and a Masters Degree in Vocational Education.
He said he wants to have the system installed in a school so that he would be able to monitor its performance better. He said a school is ideal since there is a need for power for a period of about eight hours. Moore hopes to test the system in schools both in and outside Georgetown. He said his system is ideal for the use of computers and he would be using his to power computers. The former Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) employee is convinced that the products would be an easy sell once persons see them in action. According to Moore, the price of the windmill generators would be comparable to those coming from overseas.
Moore said on April 21 he conducted a trouble-free four-hour test on the Georgetown Sea Wall and a charge of 180 watts was registered for the entire period. According to Moore, officials from the Guyana Energy Agency witnessed the test.
He said the company would be conducting further tests until he achieves a 24-hour trouble-free run before installing the system at a height of 43 feet, by which time he hopes to upgrade the voltage regulation system to an average of 300 watts charging. He plans to build a larger model capable of producing an output of 24 volts and 1,000 watts.
He said that he is willing to train apprentices but deplored the current standard of technical students. How-ever, he will accommodate some work/study students during the August holidays.
Moore said he received assistance from Guysons' Engineering, Associated Industries Ltd and the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC).