40d:Windmill

A windmill is a machine component that provides power via wind on the surface of a fortress map. Currently, a windmill provides 40 units of power (sometimes less, apparently depending upon the available wind) and requires 4 pieces of wood. Using multiple windmills increases the power production.

Construction

To get some useful power out of a windmill:

1. Build the windmill.
2. Excavate a path under it to the center of its base (1 z-level down).
3. Add a vertical axle, gear assembly or machine there, which will have power.
4. Gear assemblies can be used to transport the power back to the surface, if desired.

In rare cases, building a gear assembly before the windmill will not connect the gear assembly to the windmill. Simply destruct the gear assembly to connect it.

Windmill tower

The "windmill tower" option is useful if you can't dig below your windmill (if, for example, there is a room or underground river there). This option is also often more power-efficient, as it can eliminate the need to transfer power between z-levels.

1. Build a 3x3 platform out of floors one level above the ground floor.
2. Build the windmill on top of the platform.
3. Directly beneath the windmill, on the ground floor, build a gear assembly.
4. Connect this assembly to horizontal axles, and power your machines. No digging required!

A windmill can also be built directly on top of a gear assembly, obviating the need for a platform

How to transfer power between Z-levels

After you have a gear assembly or windmill in place on Z=0, you need to switch to Z-1 and build a channel directly underneath. Then, build a verticle axle over the channel on Z-1. Then, you will receive power on Z-2. Rinse and repeat.