How
do wind turbines generate electricity?
Wind turbines have a rotor (a
hub
with three blades), a power shaft and a generator to convert wind
energy into electrical energy. Wind passes over the rotor and makes
it spin. This spinning motion is used by the generator to produce
electricity.
The amount of energy produced
depends on wind speed and the diameter of the rotor. Because wind
speed increases with height, the wind turbines are mounted on towers.
A good location for wind turbines should have average annual wind
speeds of at least 12 miles per hour. Small changes in average wind
speed are important. Even a one-mile-per-hour increase in wind speed makes
a significant difference in the power available to generate
electricity.
Do
the turbines affect TV or radio reception?
Several thousand towers have
been
erected in Europe and California.
The majority of these turbines have not caused any signal
interference. MGE sited the wind turbines to minimize signal
interference. MGE fixed any TV signal problems nearby neighbors had.
Are
birds affected by wind turbines?
Care is taken to locate wind
turbines away from sensitive wildlife areas such as wetlands and
migratory paths. MGE’s wind site was reviewed by independent agencies
for environmental impacts including bird mortality. Ongoing studies
at our site have shown that bird mortality has not been a problem.
What
happens when the wind doesn’t blow?
The turbines are dependent on
the wind to
produce electricity. On a calm day, the turbines won’t be able to produce
power. But electricity is still available; other power plants will
adjust their output to make up the difference.
What
happens if lightning strikes a wind turbine?
Each wind turbine is protected
from lightning by a grounding system. In the event of a strike, the
system guides the electrical energy safely to ground. This system is
similar to the lightning
Can
wind turbines blend into the landscape?
The turbines are located in open
terrain to have access to the wind. Better equipment designs and
careful planning dramatically improve the appearance of wind farms.
