How Wind Energy Works

Image Courtesy of NREL
Image Courtesy of NREL

There are 4 highlights of the operation of wind power: it is one of the oldest renewable technologies; power generation capability increases eightfold as wind speed doubles; the higher the better; and lastly unlike fossil fuels, wind power cannot be depleted and produces no pollution. Mechanical or electrical power is created through the kinetic energy of the wind. Wind power available is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that the power available to a wind generator increases by a factor of eight if the wind speed doubles. For the best utilization of wind turbines, location is important. They should be placed where wind speeds reach 16-20 mph and are at a height of 50m. It is also important that power plants are located near existing power lines and in the windiest sites available. The air temperature also plays a role in wind power. In comparison to hot air, colder air is denser. The turbines blades are similar to the propeller blades on an airplane. The hub of the turbine is rotated as the rotor blades generate lift from the passing wind. This rotating action then turns a generator, which creates electricity.

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