The wind power generator is a machine that takes the kinetic energy of air currents and transforms it into electricity. It does this by using a rotor that converts the kinetic energy into mechanical energy, and a generator that converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. This energy is then fed into the grid, supplying consumers with an alternative to fossil fuels.

Wind turbines come in a variety of sizes, ranging from a few kilowatts to several megawatts or more. They are usually land-based and operate at a local level, providing energy for individual buildings or small communities, though they can also be connected to the grid at distribution level. They can also be used to pump water (to use as drinking water, to irrigate farms, and more), or even serve as mobile on-demand sources of clean energy in disaster or defense scenarios.

The power output of a wind power generator can be significantly affected by weather conditions. In order to provide accurate results, HOMER Pro uses statistical data on average wind velocity over a period of time, such as a year or more. However, processing data on such a large scale is computationally intensive and can result in substantial computing loads for the simulation. Therefore, in many cases the average annual wind velocity is used to reduce this load and speed up calculations.

Nevertheless, this may introduce biases and errors in the analysis. To account for this, HOMER Pro incorporates the monthly 2% day-to-day and 2% time step random variability of wind power output.

When it comes to designing wind turbines, the size of the rotor and the nacelle are key factors for their efficiency. Generally, larger machines are more efficient than smaller ones, though there are exceptions. A typical turbine has three main components: the mast or tower, the rotor and the nacelle. The rotor and its blades capture the energy from the wind by spinning clockwise. This energy is then transmitted to a gearbox inside the nacelle, where it is converted into electricity. The generator produces alternating current that is fed to the grid via a transformer. This electricity is then distributed to homes, businesses, and other users. Some utilities offer their customers the option of choosing green energy – which often means paying slightly more for electricity that is generated from renewables like wind. Increasing the amount of renewables in our energy mix is important because it can help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. However, as wind is a variable resource and cannot be relied upon at all times, other forms of electricity generation are needed to cover non-windy hours. For this reason, electricity storage technologies such as batteries and fossil fuel generators are required alongside wind.