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The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used
to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in
the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such
as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into
electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Wind turbines often stand together in a windy area that has been through a robust development
process in an interconnected group called a wind project or wind farm, which functions like a wind
power plant. These turbines are connected so the electricity can travel from the wind farm to the
power grid. Once wind energy is on the main power grid, electric utilities or power operators will
deliver the electricity where it is needed. Smaller transmission lines called distribution lines will
collect the electricity generated at the wind project site and transport it to larger "network"
transmission lines where the electricity can travel across long distances to the locations where it is
needed, when finally the smaller "distribution lines" deliver electricity directly to your town and home.
Learn more about transmission.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power anelectric
generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of
a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make
electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and
makes electricity.
Wind Turbine Types
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis variety, like the
traditional farm windmills used for pumping water, and the vertical-axis design, like the
eggbeater-style Darrieus model, named after its French inventor. Most large modern wind
turbines are horizontal-axis turbines.
Turbine Components
Horizontal turbine components include:
blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy;
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power anelectric
generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of
a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make
electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and
makes electricity.
Turbine Components
Horizontal turbine components include:
blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy;
Wind turbines are available in a variety of sizes, and therefore power ratings. The largest
machine has blades that span more than the length of a football field, stands 20 building
stories high, and produces enough electricity to power 1,400 homes. A small home-sized
wind machine has rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stands upwards of 30 feet
and can supply the power needs of an all-electric home or small business. Utility-scale
turbines range in size from 50 to 750 kilowatts. Single small turbines, below 50 kilowatts,
are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping.
Wind Turbine
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: the horizontal-axis variety, as shown in the photo to the
far right, and the vertical-axis design, like the eggbeater-style Darrieus model pictured to the immediate
right, named after its French inventor. Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically either have two or three
blades. These three-bladed wind turbines are operated "upwind," with the blades facing into the wind.
Wind turbines can be built on land or offshore in large bodies of water like oceans and lakes. Though the
United States does not currently have any offshore wind turbines, the Department of Energy is funding
efforts that will make this technology available in U.S. waters.
Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger wind
turbines are more cost effective and are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to
the electrical grid. In recent years, there has been an increase in large offshore wind installations in
order to harness the huge potential that wind energy offers off the coasts of the U.S.
Single small turbines, below 100 kilowatts, are used for homes, telecommunications dishes, or water
pumping. Small turbines are sometimes used in connection with diesel generators, batteries, and
photovoltaic systems. These systems are called hybrid wind systems and are typically used in remote,
off-grid locations, where a connection to the utility grid is not available.
Learn more about what the Wind Program is doing to support the deployment of small and mid-sized
turbines for homes, businesses, farms, and community wind projects.
The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate
mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical
power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or
a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.
From 1975 to 2008, more solar energy patents were linked to DOE than to any other organization in the
world. Since President Obama took office, the amount of solar power installed in the U.S. has increased
over thirteen fold from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2008 to an estimated 15.9 GW today. Thats enough to
power the equivalent of 3.2 million average American homes.