Man Builds an Electricity-Generating Windmill in His Own Garden

nnOften called windmills out of habit, wind turbines generate electricity kinetically from the force of the wind.nnHowever an Englishman has further complicated things by building both—a windmill based on a 12th-century example that also doubles as a wind turbine. Sitting in his garden, he believes it can power his whole house.nnGareth Ross Buddell built the structure in his home garden in Swindon. He is next looking to test its capabilities on a windy hillside, where he explains more than 10,000 of the structures would once have been visible across the UK.nn“I think they would look fantastic,” he told English media outlet SWNS, gesturing to the hillside. “You could use them to pump up water for the farms at the top, or for heating, or you could run a line down to the school and get the school free electricity.”nnTo ensure his plans were based on historic originals, Gareth purchased over 1,700 survey drawings of the Bourn Windmill in Cambridgeshire, approximated the measurements, and then reconstructed a quarter-size copy in his garden.nnGareth relied on his skills and education as a classical boat builder at the Falmouth Marine School, which also serves him at his day job repairing furniture. The windmill is built mainly of green oak and can rotate to be directed at the wind. He sewed the sails himself from a curtain he bought in a thrift store.nnThe mill’s generator produces 100 amps at 12 volts when spinning at its optimum speed.nnAlthough the mill currently looks “beautiful” on the main street of his hometown of Bishopsville, the wind is insufficient to turn the sails, so he will take the portable mill to higher land to test its functionality.nnAT HOME RENEWABLES: Lebanese Man Builds Wind Turbine from Recycled Plastic–Producing Electricity for his Family and Neighborsnn“God gives you the wind; you have just got to mill it!” said Gareth enthusiastically. “A green oak windmill costs less than £500 to knock up and it is 100 percent renewable and recyclable.”nn

nnIn England, certain rural areas have protected aesthetics, and Gareth says he’s had no problems with local government because it’s an agricultural building at its heart.nnUnlike wind turbines with dangerous blades that move at high speed, the sails move at a low speed.nnIF YOU NEEDS DIY IDEAS: Baling Water: These Young Farmers Built a DIY Swimming Pool With Hay Bales to Beat the HeatwavennGareth intends to send the design to King Charles to get the eco-conscious monarch’s opinion.nnSEND This Great DIY Project With Your Friends Inspired By Home Building…