Charging mobile devices in remote areas can be more complicated than we might imagine, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate and the available sunlight is limited. That leads us to look at other options, including wind energy. The recent wind-turbine prototype developed by German designer Nils Ferber is 40 percent lighter than other similar systems and produces five watts with less than 20 kilometers per hour of wind speed.
Carrying a smartphone in your pocket is simple. The hard part is working out the most convenient way to get energy. We can carry it with us just like the smartphone, use fire-dependent systems (assuming the place you visit allows campfires), or turn to solar power if the light is good. There is also another option: wind energy. This isn’t the first time we’ve come across portable turbines. In fact, some designs sought funding on Kickstarter and completely failed in their bid to deliver a viable product. That’s where the resistance consumers show toward wind turbines comes from, although I think we should look at this prototype a little more closely:
Design and performance
The device has no official name beyond “Mini wind turbine”. Its development was carried out by German designer Nils Ferber, who, in addition to having an official page, takes part in the James Dyson Award. The turbine is based on an optimized version of the Savonius design, one of the most stable and economical. The prototype weighs less than one kilogram and is 40 percent lighter than its direct competitor. This allows it to focus attention on its rotor, which can generate enough energy even in low-wind conditions. Published information speaks of 5 direct watts with an 18 km/h wind, and future designs will add a 24 Wh battery to the configuration.
A practical concern
Although it is easy to transport and its performance is within the parameters needed to recharge a smartphone, I believe the weak point of this mini wind turbine is installation. Granted, anyone who decides to visit the mountains and spend a few days there will basically have to set up a camp, so the turbine joins the list of tasks, but I don’t see it as a convenient alternative for casual use. The next step for Ferber is to find partners and develop a commercial variant.
