Question
How does wind energy get to you?
Like I know you would have to have a mill in your yard but how does it get to the house?
Like I know you would have to have a mill in your yard but how does it get to the house?
Answers
drwls
Wind energy drives the blades of the windmill, and makes them turn. The blade axis is connected through gears to a generator, which is comething like an electric motor. Alternating electric voltage is produced by the generator as the blades turn. This electricity can be plugged into right away, but usually it goes through an electric device to either (1) charge a bank of batteries if this is a standalone system (so there can be power when the wind is not blowing), or (2) connect to the "grid" of a local power company. The "meter" then runs backwards when excess power is being generated, and the power is "sold" back to the power company, to be delivered back later when needed. In either case, the power gets to the house through wires.
drwls
You might find this article in today's New York Times interesting. It deals with just that subject, and has some pictures.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/garden/13wind.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/garden/13wind.html