Vertical windmills aren't such a recent concept. Actually, despite that we're accustomed to seeing horizontal axis windmills, the first windmills invented were the vertical ones. The first functional types were invented in the ninth century, but their design has changed very much over the years in order to get a higher efficiency from them.
Vertical windmills have plenty of advantages. Among them is the low sound that they make. Horizontal windmills generally are very noisy, a fact that is proved by their settlements in non-populated or low populated places with not a lot of habitants around. Because of their silent function, vertical windmills are most of the times used by humans for their homes, metropolitan areas or commercial buildings.
Another advantage that vertical windmills have is that they can capture more wind than horizontal windmills. Regardless of the direction from which the wind blows, vertical windmills can capture it and convert it into energy. We can't say the same about the horizontal axis type windmills.
A vertical windmill is easier to maintain. It's also safer to do it, too. We owe this to the truth that the location of the generator is at the ground level. As it is in such a helpful place and straightforward to repair, we save more time and energy when we give it maintenance or when we fix it.
Utilizing the vertical windmills' design also brings benefits for the birds. Birds often fly into the horizontal axis windmill. From this point of view the vertical axis type is safer and there are minimal possibilities for birds to fly into its blades.
Vertical windmills could also have a highly esthetical look, as they can be adapted to the adjoining area. They do not have a pre-established pattern to pursue when building them. You could find them in plenty of shapes.
The most common vertical windmills are the Savonius and the Darrieus. The Savonius windmill is largely used for pumping the water or for grain grinding. If you consider it from above, you notice that its shape is the one of the letter "S". Unlike the Savonius, the Darrieus windmill is used for producing electrical energy and not for pumping water. Its blades are in shape of the letter "C", providing it the aspect of an eggbeater.
We are living in a world where the electrical energy is not just beginning to become more and more expensive, but we are also becoming more conscious that many sources that produce it are affecting the environment. Start thinking at building your own vertical or even horizontal axis windmill so that you can save money and help save the Earth in the process.
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