How Do Windmills Work
Apart from being visually interesting structures, windmills are also useful facilities. Their uses range from breaking down grains and wheat to generating electricity. But for you to fully appreciate windmills, you need to know how they work.
An important aspect in learning how windmills work is understanding wind. Wind refers to air in motion. It is a form of energy and is considered as one of the most environmentally friendly forms of energy. It does not create pollution or contribute to global warming. Since wind is a free form of energy, it is used in structures such as windmills.
Windmills have blades that are used to gather wind passing over it. The blades of the windmills are connected to a drive shaft. The shaft is connected to an electric generator.
When wind causes the blades to rotate, the blades then turn the drive shaft. This process eventually creates electricity. The electricity is then sent through wires and collected in specialized devices. The output the windmill produces is then distributed to a single home or to even a small group of houses. A windmill can create around 100 kilowatts, while a group of windmills working together can produce several megawatts of energy.
There are different types of windmills. Two of the most common types are the horizontal and vertical windmills. The horizontal windmill is the most popular and recognizable type. This windmill has blades resembling the propeller of an airplane. On the other hand, the vertical windmill is a less known type of windmill. This structure has blades resembling an egg beater.
