How Effective Are Wind Turbines?

Wind is a type of solar power that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, is one of the country's fastest-growing sources of renewable energy. Millions of American residences and businesses are powered by wind energy.

Function

• Wind has kinetic energy that turbines capture and convert into power. Turbines look like giant fans with blades that are designed to turn when wind blows through them. When the wind spins the blades, the turbine's generator transposes the wind into power. That power is then directed to its output function, such as providing electricity for a home.

Size

• The size of the turbine impacts the effect it has on collecting energy. The DOE explains that wind farms have many turbines that work together to generate a large amount of electricity. Small, individual turbines that are less than 100 kilowatts in size convert enough electricity to power a single home. One kilowatt is the equivalent of 1,000 watts.

Effects

• The European Wind Energy Association claims that in 2009, the emission of 106 million tons of carbon dioxide was avoided due to wind energy. In effect, this number was equivalent to removing 53 million vehicles off of European roads.

Benefits

• Wind turbines do not emit greenhouse gases, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to collecting energy.