Wind power is a clean, cost-effective and readily available renewable energy source – one that’s playing
an increasingly important role in the way we power our homes and businesses.
Wind farms consisting of large wind power turbines are becoming more common in the U.S. for several
reasons. First, wind is free and we’ll never run out of it. Second, wind power is clean – wind turbines
do not create air or water pollution. Finally, technologies that make wind energy and other renewables
possible are becoming more affordable.
Wind is the world’s fastest-growing energy source. Almost every state in the U.S. has enough wind to
generate clean electricity. Experts estimate that wind could supply up to 20 percent of our country’s
electricity by 2030. Investing in wind energy creates more “green” jobs for our economy, provides income
to landowners and communities, and helps our nation become more energy independent.
What is wind?
Wind is actually created by the sun. Because the earth’s surface is made of different types of land and
water, it absorbs the sun’s heat at different rates. When hot air rises over certain parts of the earth, cooler
air is drawn in to replace it, creating wind.
How do wind turbines work?
A wind turbine works like a fan, but in reverse. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan,
wind turbines use wind to make electricity. Most wind turbines used by electric utility companies 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 houses the electrical components and is mounted at
the top of a tall steel tower. The foundation holds the turbine in place on the ground.
What role does wind energy play in powering my community?
Wind farms, also known as wind power plants, are groups of wind turbines in the same location that
generate electricity. The electricity generated by wind farms is typically fed into the power lines of local
utilities, where it is mixed with electricity from other power plants and delivered to customers.
Wind is an intermittent source of energy. In other words, we only get electricity from wind farms when
the wind is blowing. That’s why wind energy today primarily supplements baseload generation sources
such as coal-fired, nuclear and natural gas power plants that can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Wind energy alone cannot power our homes and businesses, but it is becoming more important to our
country’s energy future.