The Components of a Wind Turbine
Most wind turbines include four primary components: a rotor and blades, a nacelle, electric cables, and electric monitoring equipment. The rotor, blades, and nacelle are located atop the tower, while electronics are distributed throughout this highly engineered system.
In most turbines, the rotor includes a central hub and three lightweight blades that are known as airfoils. The rotor spins around a horizontal axis as air flows over the blades, rotating faster as wind speeds increase.
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Within the nacelle, the spinning motion of the rotor is converted from rotational (a form of mechanical) energy into electricity. Typically, a low-speed shaft connects the rotor’s hub to a gearbox, which steps up the speed of rotation. A high-speed shaft on the other side of the gearbox spins within an electric generator. Inside the generator housing, an electromagnet attached to the high-speed shaft rotates within stationary coils of wire. The spinning magnetic field of the electromagnet creates a strong electric current within the coils.
Electrical cables carry this electric current toward the base of the steel tower. A transformer located within the tower or on the ground regulates the electricity's voltage for use on site or for interconnection to a nearby electric grid.
Control systems and other electronics monitor, manage, and optimize turbine operations. They maximize power generation under varying wind conditions, and they manage the turbine's connection to the electric grid. They also protect turbine components at high wind speeds.
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