From atmospheric motion to grid power
- 01
Wind crosses the rotor
Airflow creates lift across the blades, turning the rotor around the hub.
- 02
Rotation enters the drivetrain
A main shaft carries torque. Some turbines use a gearbox; direct-drive machines do not.
- 03
The generator produces electricity
Electromagnetic induction converts the rotor’s mechanical energy into electrical energy.
- 04
Power electronics condition output
Converters regulate frequency and voltage so variable-speed generation can meet grid requirements.
- 05
A transformer raises voltage
Higher voltage reduces losses as electricity moves through the project collection system and into the grid.
The turbine is always adjusting
Yaw control turns the nacelle so the rotor faces the wind. Pitch control rotates each blade around its long axis, changing aerodynamic loading and power capture.
Sensors track wind speed, direction, vibration, temperature and electrical conditions. The controller starts, limits or stops the machine as conditions require. Brakes and blade pitching provide independent ways to bring the rotor to a safe state.
Power and energy are different
A turbine’s nameplate rating is the maximum electrical power it is designed to deliver under specified conditions. Energy is power accumulated over time and is measured in watt-hours, usually megawatt-hours for a wind plant.
A 5 MW turbine does not produce 5 MW every hour. Wind varies, maintenance occurs and grids may curtail output. Capacity factor summarizes the resulting energy production relative to continuous full-power operation.
Wind turbine FAQ
Do wind turbines need constant wind?
No. Turbines operate across a designed wind-speed range, stop below cut-in speed and shut down above cut-out speed for protection. Output varies with wind speed.
Does a wind turbine have a battery?
Most utility-scale turbines feed electricity into a grid and do not contain a project-scale battery. A wind farm may be paired with separate battery storage.
What is capacity factor?
Capacity factor is actual energy produced over a period divided by the energy the plant would produce if it ran at full nameplate power for every hour.