How is wind power produced?
Wind turbines harness the wind to generate electricity. Wind turns the turbine blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to the generator and makes electricity. A local transformer is then used to step up the electrical voltage, so that the electricity can then be sent through transmission and distribution lines to homes, businesses and other users. Wind turbines generally produce electricity when winds blow at speeds of 13 kilometres an hour or greater. They shut down at above 90 kilometres per hour for safety reasons. Wind turbines can also be used to generate mechanical power for specific tasks such as grinding grain or pumping water. On the Canadian Prairies, for example, there are several thousand wind turbines that pump water.
