Becker made a number of templates to simplify the building process. Image credit: Sean Woods

But, as Capetonian Peter Becker can attest, there’s a more pro-active option available for those willing to spend some time at their workbenches. It’s called DIY wind power, and although it’s unlikely to send shockwaves through the power-generating establishment, it could be one of the most satisfying projects you’ll ever tackle.

Fed up with playing victim to the vagaries of grid power, Becker decided to build a modest wind turbine from scratch – and generate his own. His quest for DIY power began last year when a wayward bolt in the Koeberg nuclear powerplant prompted an emergency shutdown of the facility. The consequences were dramatic, to say the least, causing rolling blackouts throughout the Western Cape.

A ‘light bulb’ moment
It was also one of those “light bulb moments” for everyone concerned, showing how easily their lives could be upset – and in some cases, turned upside down – by the simple flick of a switch. While business leaders cried foul, commuters saw red and householders did their best to save frozen food from spoiling, Becker – along with friend Barry Stott – began searching for solutions to keep Stott’s business afloat (he manufactures customised flight cases for valuable items).

Their first move was to couple an inverter to a car battery. As far as standby power went, it was adequate for Stott’s immediate needs, powering a band saw or drill for a short period – but it was far from perfect. For starters, the battery still required charging from the mains, and that seemed contrary to everything the two friends were trying to achieve.

Says Becker: “We thought it would great to be completely independent of Eskom. This was an especially important goal because its power, derived mostly from coal, is extremely dirty and contributes significantly towards global warming.”