For those who are new to the world of renewable energy, you may be wondering what wind turbines actually are. This article helps to answer this question.
Wind turbines are essentially devices that are capable of harnessing the energy of the wind in order to turn a turbine, which is then able to generate electricity. Wind turbines are capable of doing this due to their design (as shown to the right), which often features three aerodynamic blades that turn with ease when blown by the wind.
For many years, wind farms have been used in order to provide electricity for small towns and villages. They are ideal for providing a means of environmentally friendly electricity in remote locations, however they come with both advantages and disadvantages and wind farms can have severe impacts for different communities.
What Do They Look Like?
The design shown above is the most common wind turbine design in use today. This is known as the horizontal axis wind turbine as it spins on the horizontal axis. A less common design is known as the vertical axis wind turbine, which as you’ve probably guessed, spins on the vertical axis.
Wind turbines don’t always come in the form of large scale structures. Some people have opted to install their own wind turbines to their land in order to benefit from a source of free electricity. These smaller turbines are often found on properties with lots of land such as farms.
Where Do They Need To Be Located?
Wind turbines are often found in exposed areas where the wind is often strong and constant. Areas like this include at the coast, at the top of large hills and even out at sea. A group of wind turbines located on land are known as on-shore wind farms and collections found at sea are referred to as off-shore wind farms.
Whether you love them or loathe them, wind turbines look like they are here to stay and are currently thriving in many corners of the earth.
