Sept. 17, 2009 · One 298-398 Interdisciplinary Design Projects team working with Distributed World Power had a special opportunity to learn more about implementing a wind turbine system in India this August.  The group traveled throughout villiages in India in the Kutchh region, conducting interviews to learn about potential users’ need for a wind turbine system.  Specifically, the group sought to learn more about energy requirements, wind potential, and installation requirements.The student team learned most villagers they interviewed were already using reliable grid electricity.  However, those users were interested in a potential alternative source of cheaper electricity.

The consensus among nearly all interviewees was the proposed wind turbine system would have three requirements.  First, they wanted to eliminate their monthly electric bill.  Cost was a concern for users across the economic spectrum. Second, the villagers didn’t want to install the system themselves.  And finally, the users would require proof that the system worked before they bought it for themselves.

The project is complete, and the students' results have been passed on to their clients, James Burgess and Hasit Ganatra.

Group members include:
Zac Lindemann
Yann Manibog
Eric West
Suelyn Yu

See select images from the group presentation, plus a video highlighting some of the group's experiences. 

Above: Yann and Suelyn measuring wind speeds

Above: Team with villagers and wind turbine rotor group

Above: User interviews

Above: Eric and Hasit interviewing users

Ahmedabad, India from theartiiist on Vimeo.