In most parts of the world – like in Somaliland – water, H2O, seems more and more a myth. The founders of The Winddrinker want to put this to an end. Sjoerd Dijkstra, a Dutchman, is one of them. “Our aim is to make clean drinking water affordable for the poor. The Winddrinker turns salt water into clean drinking water, and only by using wind energy. In dry coastal areas of developing countries or in countries where people do not have access to clean water, this could be the solution.”
With what deep murmurs through time’s silent stealth
Doth thy transparent, cool, and watery wealth
Here flowing fall (…)
From: ‘The Waterfall’ by Henry Vaughan, 1655
High in the sky
Sjoerd Dijkstra and his team started to build the tower of the windmill in September. Because of the nature of this project, they always work together with local people. On the 26th of September they have reached the top of the mill: 18 metres high in the sky…
On the 26th of September the team reached the top: 18 metres high!
With only a few days left before leaving Somaliland, Sjoerd tried to finish this project in time. He was very happy to hear on the 27th of September that he got permission from the manager of the port of Berbera, a city nearby, to borrow a crane.
“We really needed that crane in order to place the gearbox at this height.” (A gearbox is a mechanical method of transferring energy from one device to another and is used to increase torque while reducing speed. Torque is the power generated through the bending or twisting of a solid material. This term is used interchangeably with transmission). In fact, to lift the gearbox at 18 metres height just by strong men, would be quite difficult. If not, impossible.
Strong winds
Although Dijkstra could use the crane, some parts of the windmill were slightly damaged, because of the strong winds. ‘We repaired these parts and placed them back…’ They tried again next day to install the gearbox with the crane. They had to position the gearbox correctly on top of the windmill, otherwise it would not work.
At spectacular heights the gearbox of the Windmill
Fingers crossed
But then, on the 2nd of October Dijkstra was told by the manager of the port he had to think of something else. “Unfortunately, the crane was needed by the port itself. In other words, we could not use the crane.” With only one workable day left before leaving for Holland again, the next 24 hours would be the last option to work it out. Dijkstra kept his fingers crossed.
Smooth and easy
The 3rd of October would be Dijkstra’s last attempt to place the gearbox on top of the windmill. Happy as a man could be he commented: ‘The crane was available! Everything went smooth and easy.’ Dijkstra gave some new instructions which worked out the way he wanted to. ‘To achieve such a result just one day before leaving this country is fantastic.’ Dijkstra resolved: ‘I have all the trust that our local team will finish the windmill while I am away.’
Placing the gearbox on top of the windmill
And we?
And so like Dijkstra his team, we can be just as happy as he. Because the thrill of finishing the windmill is near. According to the last news on this project, the team in Somaliland is doing the job very well. The Winddrinker will soon perform: bringing clean drinking water to the people of Somaliland.
The team of The Winddrinker
So let’s end with this strophe of Henry Vaughan, the Waterfall and let us all trust on a happy end…
‘Why, since each drop of thy quick store
Runs thither whence it flowed before (…)’
Linda Graanoogst
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