How do wind turbines work?

By Francisco "A.J." Camacho | 10/23/2024 06:09 AM EDT

The towering structures are often taller than the Statue of Liberty and can adjust to changes in the wind to maximize energy generation.

A row of wind turbines is silhouetted by the setting sun.

A row of wind turbines near Beaumont, Kansas, is silhouetted by the setting sun. Charlie Riedel/AP

Wind turbines are a modern marvel, harnessing the power of the wind to generate clean electricity.

But how are they made and how do they work?

POLITICO’s E&E News spoke with Matt Lackner, a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to break down the five main components of a wind turbine and how they produce power.

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