Changing wind power into electricity is actually the reason for wind turbines. The conventional design resembles a small windmill on a toll structure. As the large propeller is spun by the wind, the rotor inside turns to produce electricity. As with almost all types of power generators, magnets as well as copper wires are arranged to create a charge any time the rotor spins. This method has been utilized for many years in various other types of generators.

There has to be sufficient wind to move the blades for these generators to generate electricity. The explanation as to why turbines are built so extremely high is to take advantage of the more potent winds found at greater altitudes. The purpose of capturing more of the wind power is to create more electricity with the turbines. Obviously there needs to be enough wind to make electricity from the outset. Before an installation of turbines is engineered, detailed analysis of wind patterns for the intended site is reviewed. This is likely to mean they are positioned along coastlines where it is ordinarily very windy. In fact, the wind can switch its direction which poses another problem for wind turbines. A time tested layout, adapted from the early wind powered water pumps, makes use of a tall fin to point the propeller directly into the wind, regardless of the direction it comes from.

Wind turbines can produce quite a lot of energy; one turbine can generate electricity for one house, or maybe they can be used to power machinery that does something like grinding grain. A battery backup that's replenished by the turbines, supplies power during instances when no wind blows. While they can produce a lot of electricity, they are not cheap at all and getting back your initial investment on one can take many years. Unlike various other green energy methods, wind turbines will always work 24/7, providing that there is wind. In areas that experience several hours of darkness during some months, turbines may be a far better green solution as compared to solar panels. Another good thing about wind turbines is that they are eco-friendly as they produce absolutely no pollution. The standard sources of hydro, such as nuclear reactors, create significant pollution that could be reduced by turbines. The energy source is likewise renewable, just like solar energy, because there is always wind blowing. There is certainly no danger of turbines lacking propulsion.

Let's consider just what some may describe as the cons of wind turbine generated electricity. Their structure makes them stand out, and some say they're ugly for this reason. Large installations, with a bunch, or even hundreds grouped together, create visual pollution in coastal areas, as reported by critics. Like any mechanical gadget that moves, they may be quite noisy. Another major concern that people have observed is that birds and bats (bats especially) tend to fly into them. The spinning rotors disturb the bats' ability to stay away from things with their sonar readings. There are no statistics on how regularly this happens, however.

The overall positive aspects of wind turbines seem to outweigh the disadvantages at the moment. They can play a primary role in our long term energy plans if they are applied carefully.