• Wind power involves turning energy from the wind into other forms of useful energy.

• Wind power can be harnessed in a number of different ways. For example, windmills create mechanical energy, sails move boats and wind turbines generate electricity. 

• Windmills have been around for a long time, they were used in Persia (Iran) as far back as 200 B.C.

• Wind energy is clean and renewable.

• Large groups of wind turbines are called wind farms.

• Around 80 different countries use wind power to generate electricity commercially (as of 2009).

• In 1997 wind power generated only 0.1% of the world’s electricity, this increased to 1.5% in 2008 and 2.5% in 2010.

• In some countries such as Denmark and Portugal, wind power contributes around 20% of the total electricity production.

• The large blades of wind turbines can interfere with some radar systems used by weather stations or air traffic controls, at times being mistaken for planes or various weather patterns.

• Smaller turbines are sometimes used to charge batteries or as backup power in caravans and sailing ships.

• Modern wind turbines usually have 3 blades which can reach speeds at the tip of over 320 kph (200 mph).

• The tips of large wind turbines can reach heights up to 200 m (650ft).

• Wind turbines can even be installed offshore on floating structures, sending the electricity generated back to land with the help of undersea cables.

 

 

                                                                                                  From various sources

About the Wind Turbine