Wind energy is a clean and sustainable source of electricity. It produces no emissions during operation, and it is a renewable resource that can be replenished quickly, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Wind projects are able to capture the wind’s power at an impressive efficiency level. In 2021, the average capacity factor of wind plants that came online that year was above 40%, a significant improvement over the 20% seen in 2010. Improvements in plant performance have been driven by larger turbines mounted on taller towers and featuring longer blades. In fact, 91% of the new turbines that came online in 2020 featured rotors that were at least 115 meters in diameter, enabling them to capture more of the available wind energy.

In order to generate electricity from wind, it must first be converted from kinetic energy into mechanical energy, which is what propels the blades of a wind turbine. The motion of the blades causes the rotor to spin, turning an internal shaft that drives a generator that produces electricity.

The blades of a wind turbine are designed to produce the most possible energy by using both lift and drag forces. The lift force occurs when a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade, pushing the blade up and away from the ground. This movement is opposed by the drag force, which pulls the blade toward the ground. The result is that the rotor, like a ship’s propeller, turns at 30 to 60 revolutions per minute, producing electricity.

A generator converts the mechanical energy of the rotor’s rotation into 60-cycle AC (alternating current) electricity, which is then transmitted to nearby power distribution networks. The electricity is distributed to homes, factories or other facilities. If there is no transmission network nearby, the electricity can be stored in a battery or used on-site by a facility.

For homeowners, it is possible to install a home wind power system. However, this is a major investment that requires research of the local wind conditions, zoning requirements, covenants and other restrictions in your area, as well as a cost/benefit analysis to determine whether it makes financial sense.

The installation of wind turbines can require a large amount of infrastructure, including power lines to connect them to a power grid. These lines can have environmental impacts, depending on how they are located and the sensitivity of surrounding land uses.

There are also some concerns about the visual impact of large wind farms, particularly in populated areas. However, this can be minimised by careful site selection and siting, avoiding affecting sensitive landscapes and incorporating screening from features such as hills and trees. In addition, the noise created by the rotation of the blades is generally comparable to a refrigerator located 50 yards away. Nevertheless, it is still a work in progress to make wind energy even more environmentally friendly.