How wind power works

Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy in surface winds and convert it into useable energy in the form of electricity.

Wind turbines operate on a simple principle. The energy in the wind turns two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity.

Wind turbines are mounted on elevated towers to capture the energy in the most efficient manner. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground, wind strengths are typically stronger and less turbulent than at ground levels.

Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building.  More typically, they are connected to a large scale electrical transmission grid (shown here) for more widespread distribution of the power to consumers.