Small Wind Systems for Battery Charging

This booklet outlines the potential for using small wind generators to charge batteries typically motorcycle, car or lorry batteriesÐ for use in households where mains electricity has not yet reached. In many countries of the world this is the case for the majority of the population, and in some rural areas almost all the population.

The background to this booklet is a UK Government-funded project entitled ÔSmall Wind Systems for Battery ChargingÕ that was undertaken in Peru, Sri Lanka and the UK. The project demonstrated the potential market for small wind energy systems and the economic and technical viability of locally manufactured, low-cost small wind battery charging units, suitable for use in remote areas of developing countries. This booklet is one published output of the project. There are also technical manuals for generator manufacturers, blade manufacturers and installers. Most of the practical information explained in this booklet is taken from pilot installations in Peru and Sri Lanka.

This research on small wind energy systems for battery charging is the result of a collaborative effort involving numerous contributors. The project was managed by ITDG (also known as the Intermediate Technology Development Group) under a contract to the UK Department for International Development. The overall international project was co-ordinated by Dr Smail Khennas, Senior Energy Specialist from ITDG with support from Simon Dunnett. The field work in Peru and Sri Lanka was respectively managed by Teodoro Sanchez and Rohan Senerath, with support from Sunith Fernando. Simon Dunnett, Dr Smail Khennas and Hugh Piggott (a UK technical consultant for the project), are the authors of this guide for development workers considering the use of small wind energy systems in rural households. 61 Pages