Learn the basics of how wind turbines operate to produce power from a renewable resource—the wind.
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
July 21, 2020
minute read time
Did you know that wind turbines turn wind energy into electricity using the aerodynamic force from rotor blades and that those blades work like an airplane wing or helicopter rotor blade?
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's popular "How a Wind Turbine Works" animation can help expand your knowledge of how this renewable energy source works.
Take a look at EERE’s updated, interactive animation which now includes an offshore direct-drive wind turbine view and other features. The animation is interactive, so you can start and stop the turbine’s movement, hover over parts to see their description, and use the icons in the lower right corner of the animation to switch views.
Be sure to check back for periodic updates and go here for more information on EERE's Wind Energy Technologies Office.