A small-scale wind turbine that mounts on a clothesline

The goal was to create a wind turbine that an individual or family could easily implement in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by supplementing home electricity usage with renewables.

early concept: a playground wheel that doubles as a generator.

early concept: a helicopter toy that charges batteries as it descends

Early concepts involved utilizing toys as a source for power.

However, in the pursuit of clean energy, conservation is an important factor. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “The typical American family spends close to $1,500 a year on utility bills, and as much as half of that expense could be unnecessary if a home is not energy-efficient.” One major criticisms of a technology-driven approach to sustainable energy is that it rationalizes wasteful lifestyles with a belief that “technology will save us – so we don’t have to change our lifestyles.”

The final design is meant to encourage use of a clothesline rather than an electric dryer for drying clothes. The generator requires a horizontal rope to mount onto. The nose piece clips on to the rope (with clothespins, of course), and the rest of the body rotates, activating a custom generator with the kinetic energy to do its job.