How do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind turbines convert the energy of the wind into electricity. There are two basic components to a wind turbine: blades that are moved by the wind and the mechanical gears and electricity generator. As the wind moves the turbine blades, the rotor shaft moves the gears inside the gearbox. This movement creates energy, which is captured by the electricity generator and added to the power grid. There are two types of wind turbines: horizontal axis and vertical axis. A horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) is very similar to a windmill in appearance. The electrical generator and main rotor shaft are located at the top of the tower. Wind sensors and servomotors are often used to automatically align wind turbines with the direction of the prevailing wind. The gearbox converts the large, slow rotation into the rotational speed necessary to generate electricity. The blades of wind turbines are very stiff and made from a combination of hard plastics and light metals. The blades are installed in f
