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Energy Department Announces $7 Million to Promote Clean Energy in Tribal Communities

May 20, 2013

NREL Launches Renewable Energy Optimization Tool Website

May 20, 2013

Wind Powering America Announces Outstanding Partner Awards

May 20, 2013

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Events

10th Annual EnergyOcean International Conference and Exhibition

June 10, 2013

APPA Webinar: Strategic Planning for Utility Boards and City Councils

July 16, 2013

AWEA OFFSHORE WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition

October 22, 2013

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Renewable Electricity Standards: State Success Stories

May 20, 2013

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Wind Power Technology

Modern wind turbines have become sophisticated power plants while the concept of converting wind energy to electrical energy remains quite simple. Follow these links to learn more about the science behind wind turbine technology.

Wind Power Animation

An image of a scene from the wind power animation.

The animation shows how moving air rotates a wind turbine's blades and describes how the internal components work to produce electricity. It shows small and large wind turbines and the differences between how they are used, as stand alone or connected to the utility grid.

How Wind Turbines Work

Learn how wind turbines make electricity; what are the types, sizes, and applications of wind turbines; and see an illustration of the components inside a wind turbine.

Wind Research and Development

Read about how wind research conducted at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) has led to the development of multi-megawatt wind turbines that produce electricity at a cost that is starting to compete with conventional energy sources in the marketplace. To make wind energy fully cost competitive and increase wind energy development, researchers at the NWTC are working in partnership with industry to develop larger, more efficient, utility-scale wind turbines for land-based and offshore installations, as well as more efficient, quieter small wind turbines for distributed applications. Read about current research projects, how to work with the NWTC, its facilities and staff, and more.

Wind Power Technology Applied in an Off-Shore Setting

  • Offshore Wind Technology Overview (PDF 1.4 MB) Download Adobe Reader

    Provides insights into the technology, technology challenges, and potential for off-shore wind development.

Printable Version


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