Wind turbine wind panels

How does a wind turbine work?

In modern wind turbines, wind rotates the rotor blades, which convert kinetic energy into rotational energy. This rotational energy is transferred by a shaft which to the generator, thereby producing electrical energy. Wind power has grown rapidly since 2000, driven by R&D, supportive policies and falling costs.

What is the difference between upwind and downwind turbines?

Upwind turbines—like the one shown here—face into the wind while downwind turbines face away. Most utility-scale land-based wind turbines are upwind turbines. The wind vane measures wind direction and communicates with the yaw drive to orient the turbine properly with respect to the wind.

Can a wind turbine power a home?

One wind turbine can power an individual home or farm, but several built close together form a wind energy plant, or wind farm. Wind plants can be land-based or offshore, and they can be hybrid plants (meaning, they include other sources of energy, such as solar energy).

What is a wind turbine generator?

What is a wind turbine? A wind turbine, or wind generator or wind turbine generator, is a device that converts the kinetic energy of wind (a natural and renewable source) into electricity. Whereas a ventilator or fan uses electricity to create wind, a wind turbine does the opposite: it harnesses the wind to make electricity.

Where can wind turbines be built?

Wind turbines can be built on land or offshore in large bodies of water like oceans and lakes. The U.S. Department of Energy is currently funding projects to facilitate offshore wind deployment in U.S. waters. Modern wind turbines can be categorized by where they are installed and how they are connected to the grid:

What is a land-based wind power plant?

With multiple wind turbines working together, land-based wind energy plants can provide power to the U.S. electric grid to power homes, businesses, and more. The 63-megawatt Dry Lake Wind Power Project in Arizona was the first utility-scale wind power project in the United States.