ABSTRACT
The “Texan” multi-blade mill (Fig. 13.2) was released in the USA in 1868, its technology was brought to Argentina in 1873 by some visionary farmers and businessmen. Pumping water into the so-called “Australian” water tanks helped to obtain water for households, cattle, and fields in the countryside. Thus, a sustained growth of agriculture and farming began, 600 000 windmills were installed, making Argentina known as “the granary of the world”.In 2013, 200 000 windmills are still in operation, even with the costs of mechanical kWh produced by the windmill three times higher compared to the costs of kWh from the electric power grid. The fact is that most rural settlements have no electricity and/or are not connected to the power grid; hence, wind is still used in cases where the required connection would mean higher costs. These windmills also contributed to the expansion of railways covering nearly all of the country, supplying water needed for steam locomotives.
