How Does a Windmill Generator Work?
Windmill Generators A windmill generator is powered by a large propeller called a wind turbine. When wind blows, it creates lift on the blades of the turbine, pulling them to the side and causing the whole turbine to spin. The turbine is attached to a shaft, which in turn is attached to the generator. The generator is what creates the electricity. Making Electricity The generator inside a wind machine works the same way as the generator in an electric plant or your car’s alternator. A permanent magnet is placed inside a coil of wire. When the magnet rotates, it creates a moving magnetic field that also encompasses the coil. As the magnetic field changes direction, it creates an electric current in the wire. This type of electricity is called alternating current (AC), since it switches direction as the magnetic field rotates. Supplemental Power Wind generators are a clean, efficient way to produce energy, however they only work when the wind is blowing. To counter this, wind generators
