Technology
How does a wind turbine work?
A wind turbine works by using wind to spin large blades, which turn a shaft connected to a generator. The generator converts that spinning motion into electricity — turning the wind's kinetic energy into clean power.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a wind turbine works.
Step by step
- 1Wind pushes aerodynamically shaped blades, making them rotate.
- 2The blades turn a central shaft, often through a gearbox that speeds it up.
- 3The shaft spins a generator, which converts motion into electricity.
- 4A controller turns the turbine to face the wind for maximum energy.
- 5It produces no emissions, but its output rises and falls with wind speed.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens when there's no wind?
- The turbine produces little or no power, which is why wind is paired with other sources, storage, or the grid to stay reliable.
- How do the blades make electricity?
- Spinning blades turn a shaft inside a generator, where moving magnets and coils induce an electric current.
- Why are wind turbine blades so long?
- Longer blades sweep a larger area of wind, capturing far more energy — power rises sharply with blade length.