Information on Wind Mills

Windmills are used around the world to generate sustainable energy on large and small scales.

Wind farm.

Components

Parts of a windmill include a central tower, the spinning blades, a low-speed shaft, a high-speed shaft, a gear box that connects the two shafts and a generator that produces electricity.

Function

To generate power, the blades spin, pushed by the motion of the wind. This causes a central shaft to spin at a faster rate, which transmits energy into a generator.

Environmental Effects

Wind energy is considered environmentally friendly because it uses a renewable source of power--wind--that doesn't need to be transported over great distances.

Efficiency

Larger windmills are usually more effective than smaller ones, according the the U.S. Department of Energy. The Energy Department also says that wind power is the fastest-growing energy source because of its ability to efficiently produce clean, renewable energy.

Types

Small wind turbines are available for home use, while groups of larger turbines (called wind farms) provide power on a larger scale. The number of blades on the turbines can vary.

History

The British and Dutch pioneered windmill designs for centuries, as did people in the Middle East. Windmills have existed in England since the 1100s, and people often used them to pump water or grind grain, according to Windmill World.

References

• Windmill World
• Build It Solar
• U.S. Department of Energy

Resources

• The International Molinological Society
• Small Wind Electric System, U.S. Consumer's Guide
• The American Wind Energy Association