How Do Wind Turbines Work?

• Wind turbines operate by extracting energy out of wind. Wind, produced when the Sun heats the Earth's atmosphere in an uneven manner, flows through a turbine's blades, causing them to turn. The blades rotate a shaft connected to a generator, which produces electrical current.
  
  

Power Specifications

• Wind turbines vary in size, ranging from blade lengths of 30 to 50 meters. Energy output can be anywhere from one to three megawatts, and turbine blades see tip speeds up to 200 mph. Different size turbines require different levels of wind speed to produce their maximum output.
  
  

Consumption of Electricity by Wind Turbines

• Wind turbines also require a source of power to operate. Unlike traditional power plants, which generate their own electricity for basic operation, wind turbines require an exterior power source and often grab their power off an electric grid. This consumed electricity usually isn't reflected in a unit's output, and the power specifications can often be skewed.