replicating the first intentionally hackable small wind turbine - WINDKIT
windkit is an open-source small wind turbine designed to be repairable, hackable and locally manufacturable. By combining industry standards with accessible documentation, windkit democratizes wind energy and enables communities to build and maintain their own renewable energy systems.
windkit is a rugged, small-scale wind turbine designed to democratize access to renewable energy through open-source hardware principles. Developed since 2021, windkit combines wind industry standards with an intentionally hackable design that allows communities, makers, educators and local manufacturers to build, adapt and maintain their own wind energy systems.
Within the LAUDS Factories replication project, windkit is being transformed into a fully replicable, community-ready solution. Based on field testing, the project focuses on technical optimization, improved manufacturability and a complete redesign of documentation and communication. A central goal is to lower participation barriers by translating complex engineering knowledge into accessible formats such as visual manuals, Zines and audiovisual guides.
In collaboration with the LAUDS Factory hosting partner TMDC Barcelona, the improved windkit will be built and tested in a decentralized manufacturing context. This validates windkit’s replicability and demonstrates how local supply chains, micro-factories and community knowledge can be leveraged to produce renewable energy technology sustainably.
With an annual energy output of approximately 600 kWh per system, windkit reduces CO₂ emissions while strengthening local resilience. The project contributes to energy autonomy, skills development and economic opportunities, positioning windkit as a scalable, inclusive and future-proof renewable energy solution.
About
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Team Biography
The windkit project is developed by an interdisciplinary team combining renewable energy engineering, open-source hardware development, community engagement and creative communication. The team shares a strong commitment to democratizing technology, open knowledge and sustainable energy systems that can be adapted across cultural and geographic contexts.
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Team members list
- Immanuel Dorn
- Beat Sandkühler
- Lukas Ferber
- Jonas
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Useful links
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Immanuel Dorn Biography
Immanuel Dorn is passionate about wind energy and open source hardware and delivers specialized small wind energy expertise through renewable energy technology degree and 10 years of wind industry experience. He worked as an engineer developing a 15 kW, 11 m diameter, 21 m hub height small wind turbine. Currently he works as a freelance engineer in the field of load calculation for wind turbines. He is part of the ERNI collective, where he leads workshops on building small wind turbines. His expertise provides crucial technical credibility for windkit optimization and his wind industry network supports project scaling objectives.
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Beat Sandkühler Biography
Beat Sandkühler is a product designer and multimedia artist working at the intersection of audiovisual art, technology and community engagement. His practice focuses on interactive installations, spatial audiovisual works and socially engaged art projects that translate complex technical and political systems into accessible, shared experiences. Trough international, participatory and open-source projects, he explores how artistic processes can foster dialogue, empowerment and sustainable transformation. Within windkit, he shapes the visual language, documentation and creative communication.
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Lukas Ferber Biography
Loves to make things, exploring the intersection of art and tech.
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Jonas Biography
Jonas is an opensource software and hardware developer and hacker with a focus on UI/UX as well as security driven and custom implementations.
Their current interests are in (autonomous) renewable energy solutions, interfaces / APIs, reverse engineering, analysis and building of all sorts of systems and components.
