The Wind Turbine

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy such as electricity. The energy comes from moving air. They are similar to water masses which move. This kinetic energy has been utilized by mankind since time immemorial, e.g. for wind mills. A wind turbine utilizes the energy of air masses and converts it into electrical energy. Wind turbines producing electricity consist of rotor blades which rotate around a horizontal hub. The hub is connected to a gearbox and generator which are located inside the nacelle.

The nacelle is the large part at the top of the tower where all the electrical components are located. The wind turns the blades around, this spins the shaft, which connects to a generator and this is where the electricity is made. A generator is a machine that produces electrical energy from mechanical energy, as opposed to an electric motor which does the opposite. Wind turbines use the energy from moving air in order to generate electrical current. There will always be wind as long as the Sun exists and it is available free of charge. Wind turbines do not generate any harmful exhaust gases when producing electricity.

However, there are a few disadvantages however. It is difficult to predict when and where a lot of wind blows. Due to limited capacities in the mains grid, insufficient energy can sometimes be produced from wind turbines where there are heavy winds. These wind turbines generate less energy than is possible and may even have to be switched off due to the main grid being overloaded. Also a whirring sound is created by the moving rotor blades, which is stressful for people and animals in the surrounding area. Modern wind turbines are therefore aerodynamically optimized in such a way that the development of noise is significantly reduced.