How a wind turbine works

Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, a turbine uses wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to a substation, then on to homes, business and schools. A small Home system will send the electricity to your house and or batteries then out onto the grid for redistribution. Wind turbines draw upon the force of moving air to generate electricity by rotating propeller-like blades around a rotor. The motion of the rotor turns the drive shaft, which turns an electric generator.

Wind turbines are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground, they can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind.

Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building, or they can be connected to an electricity grid  for more widespread electricity distribution.

View a wind turbine animation to see how a wind turbine works.

Materials on this Web page are provided with acknowledgement to the U.S. Department of Energy.  EERE requests that it be acknowledged as the source in any subsequent use of this information.