Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are modern windmills that turn wind into electricity. When wind blows past the blades, they spin a generator that produces electricity. Wind power is one of the fastest-growing sources of clean energy in the world. Wind farms with hundreds of turbines can be found on land and out at sea.

How Wind Turbines Work

A wind turbine has three large blades that catch the wind. When the wind pushes the blades, they spin a shaft connected to a generator. The generator converts the spinning motion into electricity. A computer on the turbine turns the blades to face the wind and adjusts them for different wind speeds.

Wind Power Around the World

Wind power is growing fast. China, the United States, and Germany are the biggest users of wind energy. Offshore wind farms are built in the ocean where winds are stronger and steadier. A single large wind turbine can produce enough electricity to power about 1,500 homes. Wind energy does not produce pollution.

Fun Facts

• The biggest wind turbines have blades longer than a football field.
• Wind turbines start generating electricity at wind speeds of about 7 to 9 miles per hour.
• Denmark sometimes gets over 100 percent of its electricity from wind power, with the extra going to neighboring countries.

Did You Know?

Offshore wind turbines are anchored to the ocean floor, but engineers are now building floating wind turbines that can be placed in much deeper water. These floating turbines are held in place by cables and can access stronger, more consistent winds far from shore!