Wind Energy
Energy from wind
Wind energy
Wind energy is generated by converting wind currents into other forms of energy using wind turbines. Winds are generated by complex mechanisms involving the rotation of the Earth, the heat capacity of the sun, the cooling effect of the oceans and polar ice caps, temperature gradients between land and sea, and the physical effects of mountains and other obstacles.Wind turbines convert the force of the wind into a torque (rotational force), which is then used to propel an electric generator to create electricity. Wind energy power stations (known as wind farms) commonly aggregate the output of multiple wind turbines through a central connection point to the electricity grid. Across the world there are both on-shore (on land) and off-shore (out to sea) wind energy projects.
Wind energy generation is the fastest growing energy source throughout the world, increasing at an average rate of nearly 30% per year in the years between 2000 and 2008.