The document proposes a small 3D printable vertical axis wind turbine that is 6 feet high and can generate between 300W to 1kW of power. It is easy to transport, install, and maintain as any broken parts can be reprinted. Its vertical axis design means it can capture wind from any direction and generate power from wind speeds as low as 3-4 mph. Potential use cases include powering devices off-grid, generating water from humidity, integrating into smart city infrastructure by installing on lampposts and rooftops, and reducing electricity bills as a complementary power source to solar panels.

1. Project summary
Introduction
The need for energy has kept growing with the population increase and the individual home
consumption, and now more than ever we need to produce clean energy, in order to limit our
carbon impact. In the case of an off grid electricity use, we will rely on batteries or fuel cells. But for
extended periods, local energy production becomes indispensable.
The product
The solution we are proposing is a small 3D printable wind turbine. It is 6 feet
high; it can be scaled from 300W to 1 kW, with every possible size and
shapes. It is easy to set up, about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Because of its small
size, it can be easily transported and installed anywhere, and can beneficiate
from special wind conditions like the tunneling effect between tall buildings.
The vertical axis design doesn’t need a specific wind direction, and it starts working at wind
speeds as low as 3-4 mph.
The 3D printing works towards the simplification of the use of the turbine, as any broken part can
be easily reprinted, and any new design can directly tested on the field for low prototyping costs
and fast results. The current design was achieved after many iteration and multiple tests in real
conditions thanks to the rapid prototyping ability 3D printing provides. The three wind deflectors
create a venture effect increasing the wind speed on the blades, allowing an additional 50% in the
power output, compared to the same conditions without the deflectors.
The fact that the turbine is a small vertical axis makes it easier to install or integrate to already
existing infrastructures, without necessarily the need to drill holes, as it can be ballasted at the
base with sand or water to keep it stable.
The participants

2. Use Cases
Off grid applications
In case of instant need for electricity in an off grid
scenario, this device can power a smartphone or
a small laptop. One of the most interesting use
cases in the case of a local energy need is the
water generation. The atmosphere is a rich water
natural reservoir; harnessing condensed water is
a cheap, fast and low technology solution.
Watergen units can produce clean drinking water
in a desert climate with humidity levels as low as
15%, and the mobile version can generate 1 liter
per hour for a 300W consumption.
Smart Cities
The second use case is the integration in the
smart cities to already existing infrastructure. The
aim is to ally aesthetics to functionality, allowing
installations on every lamppost, roof, chimney,
etc. The smart grid is the indispensable
infrastructure of tomorrow’s smart cities, and local
energy production and management allow a most
efficient and optimized energy consumption.
For a consumer
Those who wish to reduce the electricity bill; this
system aims at 3.5 years for the return on
investment time. This can also complete an
already installed solar panel and provide a
continuous 24/7 electricity generation. At day
time the sun heats the earth and powers the solar
panel, and at night time the wind blows stronger
due to the temperature change.
In the case of a military operation in the desert these turbines can be air dropped, recovered and
mounted in less than an hour, and would be used to power a temporary night camp to power
watergen units, computers, lighting and heating.
Smaller versions of this device can be used with a small storage system to power low voltage
sensors, antennas, or used as survival tools in extreme conditions where heating, cooling or water
generation is indispensable.