What is a wind turbine and how does it work?

A wind energy system transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical or electrical energy that can be harnessed for practical use.

How much electricity can one wind turbine generate?

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW, 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW, 1 million watts), and gigawatt (pronounced "jig-a-watt," GW, 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines being manufactured now have the power ratings ranging from 250 watts to 1.8 MW.

How many homes can one megawatt of wind energy supply?

An average U.S. household uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year. One megawatt of wind energy can generate between 2.4 million and 3 million kWh annually. Therefore, a megawatt of wind generates about as much electricity as 240 to 300 households use.

What is a wind power plant?

The most economical application of wind electric turbines is in groups of large machines (660 kW and up), called "wind power plants" or "wind farms." Wind plants can range in size from a few megawatts to hundreds of megawatts in capacity.

How many turbines are needed to power a household or farm?

For a home or farm, one turbine is normally installed. The turbine's size is chosen to meet the energy requirements given the available wind resource. Turbines with power ratings from 1 kW to 25 kW are typically used.

How much land is needed for a small wind system?

It can be as small as one square yard, but as a general rule, at least one-half acre is recommended for a single small turbine installation.

What size tower is used for a small-scale wind turbine?

Usually a tower between 80 and 120 feet in height is supplied with the wind turbine. Towers of this height raise the turbine above turbulence generated by obstacles (such as buildings and trees) on the ground. Also, wind velocity increased with greater altitude, so wind turbine performance improves with height.