How does a wind turbine work?

A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity. Its large blades are shaped like aeroplane wings, so that when wind flows over them it creates lift, causing the rotor to spin. The spinning blades turn a shaft, and because the blades rotate relatively slowly, a set of gears usually increases the speed before it reaches a generator. Inside the generator, the rotation drives magnets past coils of wire, producing an electric current through electromagnetic induction. Most large turbines can rotate to face the wind and can adjust the angle of their blades to capture energy efficiently or to slow down in dangerously high winds. The electricity produced is fed into the power grid. Wind power is a clean, renewable energy source, and large groups of turbines are often clustered together in wind farms on land or at sea.