Wind PowerBy: Sydney

Payton

How Windmills Work?

The windmill's blades are turned by the wind that passes Over the windmill.

Wind Converted to Electricity

To convert wind to electricity, the blades of a wind turbine turn into a shaft which is attached to a gear

transmission box. That transmission box increases the turning speed in the shaft which connects to the generator that

creates electricity.

In ShortWind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical

power

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What Do Windmills look

like?Modern windmills are usually tall, skinny,

and made of aluminum or steel. Most have two or three blades.

On most windmills the blades make a 150 foot circle

Windmill Models The traditional windmill

uses a horizontal axis. They are also the most

common type of windmill used.

There are other types of windmills which use a

vertical axis that looks a lot like an egg beater.

These are less commonly used.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

About Windmills

Windmills are built in flat open areas

Wind turbines have an emergency shut off in case of a

wind storm or tornado Windmills have been around

for 5,000 years

Wind farmsA wind farm is a place where there are many windmills together in one location and they all work together

to create electricity

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Why is wind power better?

• Renewable resource• It’s often one of the least

expensive forms of renewable power available • It’s clean