How Do Wind Turbines Work?
- Craig Kaiser
- Apr 29
- 6 min read
Wind energy is a rapidly growing type of renewable energy source that harnesses the power of wind to generate electricity. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, it is one of the fastest growing and lowest cost sources of electricity in America as of October 2023. Landowners can lease their land for wind energy to renewable energy companies, but how do the wind turbines work to create electricity?
Leasing land for wind turbines provides landowners with the opportunity to make money from their property while contributing to the clean energy revolution. If you're interested in seeing if your land qualifies for a wind lease, get a free Property Report from LandApp by finding your parcel on our map:
What are the Components of Wind Turbines?
In order to understand how wind turbines work, it is important to first understand the different components of wind turbines and their purpose. The main components of a typical wind turbine include the rotor blades, shaft, gearbox, generator, and control system.
Rotor blades: The rotor blades are the most visible part of a wind turbine. They are designed to capture the energy from the wind and convert it into rotational motion. The size, shape, and number of rotor blades vary depending on the design of the wind turbine.
Shaft: The shaft is connected to the rotor blades and transfers the rotational motion to other components of the wind turbine.
Gearbox: The gearbox increases the rotational speed of the rotor blades (which spin relatively slowly) to a speed that is suitable for electricity generation.
Generator: The generator converts the mechanical energy from the spinning rotor into electrical energy. Most wind turbines use a type of generator called an "asynchronous generator," which produces alternating current (AC).
Control System: The control system is responsible for monitoring and controlling the speed of the wind turbine, as well as regulating the electrical output to maintain a stable supply of electricity.
How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Wind turbines work by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind. As the wind moves the blades, they spin a rotor that's connected to a generator, which then converts that motion into electrical energy. Wind turbines turn wind energy into electricity using aerodynamic force from the rotor blades (similar to helicopter rotor blades). When wind flows across the blade, the air pressure on one side of the blade decreases. The difference in air pressure across both sides of the blade creates both lift and drag- the force of the lift is stronger than the force of the drag, causing the rotor to spin. The rotor connects to the generator, which converts motion from the rotor into electricity.
What are the Different Types of Wind Turbines?
Modern wind turbines are larger, more efficient, and capable of generating power at low wind speeds due to improved design and materials. Digital technologies like sensors and predictive analytics optimize performance and reduce maintenance costs. There are 2 main types of wind turbines: horizontal-axis turbines, and vertical-axis turbines. There are also floating wind turbines, which float offshore.
1) Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines
Horizontal-axis wind turbines are what most people think of when they envision wind turbines- they usually have 3 long propellers and can be as tall as 20 story buildings. These are most common for utility-scale wind projects.
2) Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines
Vertical-axis wind turbines look like egg beaters- they have blades that are attached to the top and bottom of a vertical rotor. They are rarely used because they do not perform as well as horizontal-axis turbines.
3) Floating Wind Turbines
Floating wind turbines are exactly what the name suggests – wind turbine platforms that float offshore, secured by cables or mooring lines anchored to the seabed. They are classified into different types, with the most common being the semi-submersible, spar buoy, and tension leg platform designs.
Floating technology enables the deployment of wind turbines in deeper waters, where wind speeds tend to be higher and more consistent. By leveraging the energy potential of these more powerful winds, floating wind farms can generate more electricity than their onshore counterparts.
At the heart of a floating wind turbine is a platform that is designed to remain stable in rough seas while supporting the considerable weight and dynamic loads of the turbine above. The platform must also allow for the turbine to rotate around its base, tracking and turning with the wind. With advancements in materials and engineering, these floating structures are becoming more efficient and cost-effective. The flexible nature of floating wind farms gives developers the freedom to scale installations according to the available space and site-specific conditions.
Floating Wind Turbines vs. Traditional Onshore Turbines
The benefits of floating wind turbines are as vast as the open seas they aim to conquer. Some key advantages include:
Access to Prime Wind Resources: Deploying in deeper waters allows floating turbines to access stronger and more consistent winds, which translates to higher energy output. This means floating wind farms have the potential to produce more electricity than onshore installations.
Reduced Visual Impact: One of the key concerns for onshore wind projects is the visual impact on the surrounding landscape. Offshore installations, especially those floating beyond the horizon, offer an unobtrusive solution.
Expanded Development Potential: With a vast expanse of available development areas in the ocean, floating wind turbines open up new territories for the renewable energy industry, untethered to the barriers of space that constrain onshore wind farms.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Floating wind turbines can be installed away from sensitive coastal ecosystems, minimizing the impact on wildlife and the environment.
Potential for Offshore Job Creation: Just as the oil and gas industry created offshore jobs, the growing sector of floating wind energy promises to create new job opportunities for a variety of skilled workers.
The Functionality of Offshore Wind Power
Offshore wind turbines, positioned in the ocean and anchored securely to the seafloor, capture stronger and more consistent winds than their onshore counterparts. This efficiency allows them to generate significant amounts of clean electricity, playing a crucial role in reducing our carbon footprint and combating climate change.
Offshore Wind Farms in the U.S
The United States embarked on its offshore wind journey with projects like the Block Island Wind Farm, America's first utility-scale offshore wind farm. Located off Rhode Island's coast, this project paved the way for numerous other initiatives aimed at expanding the nation's offshore wind capacity and transitioning towards a sustainable energy future. Several other large offshore wind projects are either in development or operational, reflecting the country's growing commitment to renewable energy. Here are some notable offshore wind farms in the U.S.:
Vineyard Wind: Situated off the coast of Massachusetts, this project is set to be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the U.S. It aims to have up to 84 turbines and could generate about 800 megawatts (MW) of power.
South Fork Wind: Also off the coast of New York, this project is a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource. It will feature up to 12 turbines and is designed to provide clean energy for Long Island.
Ocean Wind: Located off the coast of New Jersey, this project is being developed by Ørsted and PSEG. It is expected to provide around 1,100 MW of power and is one of the largest offshore wind projects in the U.S.
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind: This project, located off the coast of New Jersey, is a joint venture between EDF Renewables and Shell. It aims to generate up to 2,000 MW of power, making it one of the largest in the country.
Empire Wind: Situated off the coast of New York, this project, developed by Equinor and BP, is expected to provide up to 2,000 MW of power. It will be a major contributor to New York’s clean energy goals.
Maryland Offshore Wind: The state has several projects planned, including the Skipjack Wind Farm and the MarWin Project, which together aim to provide significant renewable energy capacity.
How strong does the wind need to be for wind turbines to generate electricity?
Higher wind speeds result in increased kinetic energy, which translates to greater energy generation. However, wind turbines can still generate electricity with wind speeds as low as 9 mph. When it comes to leasing land for wind turbines, wind speeds are a crucial component that wind developers consider as they plan new projects and evaluate properties of interest. They also consider factors such as buildable acreage, proximity to electrical infrastructure, and local renewable energy incentives. Each of these factors plays a role in LandApp's wind lease estimates, provided in our free Property Reports for landowners. Get your free property report by finding your parcel on our map:
