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Wind Turbines – How They Work Wind turbines generally have 3 blades that typically rotate 10-30 revolutions per minute. The blades face into the wind, the wind forces them to turn, and this spins a shaft inside the turbine. This shaft is connected to a generator, which produces the electricity. The advantage of producing electricity this way is that it is produced in an environmentally friendly way. The turbines do not consume fuel or produce any emissions. The ground where the turbines are placed can still be used for agricultural purposes. In case the turbines need to be taken down there is no damage to the environment since they leave no residue behind. One concern that some people have with "wind farms" is that they hurt the aesthetics of the landscape. Others consider this a small price to pay for having cleaner air, a stable climate, and sustainable energy independence. The initial cost of setting up these "wind farms" is a key obstacle at the moment. However, this environmentally friendly method of producing electricity is growing rapidly.
Source: Climate Change from the BBC Weather Center, Wind Power, BBC News.com, 8 September 2007. EIGHT NORTHBROOK PARK - LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 USA TELEPHONE (781) 863-1400 - info@gwenet.org - FACSIMILE (781) 863-1441 |
