How Do Windmills Work?

How do windmills work? Aside from being visually attractive structures –like giant pinwheels stuck on the ground-  windmills are useful devices as well. Windmill uses range from grinding grains, pumping water, and generating electricity. To better appreciate windmills, you must first learn how do windmills work.

Windmills have blades that rotate as the wind blows. These windmill blades are connected to a drive shaft, which is then connected to an electric generator. 

When winds enable the blades to rotate, the blades will also automatically turn the drive shaft. This process will generate the electricity. Current is then sent through the wires within the device. The energy that the windmill produces will then be distributed to a group of houses or just a single house. Just one windmill can create 100 kilowatts while a series of windmills can simultaneously produce more megawatts of energy.  

What Is a Windmill

Basically, a windmill is an engine that makes use of the wind as its power source. It is designed to gather wind energy and convert it into something that can be utilized. Its large, sail-like blades function to catch the wind. The stronger the wind, the faster the rotation of the blades.

Types of Windmills

How do windmills work will depend on the type of windmill. There are many types of windmills and they are classified according to the direction in which their blades rotate.

• The horizontal axis turbine and the vertical axis turbines are the two most common windmills used.

• The most traditional type of windmill is the horizontal turbine. It is actually similar to the propeller of an airplane.
• On the other hand, a vertical turbine has blades which resemble an egg beater.

When it comes to windmills, size does matter. The amount of electricity generated will depend on the size of the windmill. The larger the windmill, the stronger it is and the greater capacity it has to produce electricity. A small windmill is enough to power one household.

The term windmill may also refer to its original purpose. In Eastern Asia and Europe, windmills were primarily used to grind grain, hence the word “mill.” As the blades would rotate because of the wind, a shaft would then turn a heavy stone grinding wheel to crush the grain to produce flour. Eventually, the windmill was revolutionized into engines for pumping water and electricity.

Wind Turbines

Some windmills today are also referred as wind turbines and are situated in wind farms or positioned off shore. Turbines generate approximately 40 percent of the earth’s total electricity. Wind turbines also produce zero emissions and are renewable power sources. However, they are not entirely self-sufficient. Some turbines are steered by steam, or use fossil fuels or nuclear fission.

Alternative Energy

As a renewable power source, windmills are eco-friendly. They do not depend on chemicals to function and they pose no harm to the environment. Only wind is required. Perhaps the only downside, however, is this dependency on wind.

There has to be a steady wind supply for a windmill to function properly. Therefore not all places are ideal for windmills. Windmills are not practical is regions where there is very little wind.

You may also find windmills that are situated atop mountains and valleys. This is possible because the combination of hot and cold air produce wind. Windmills near bodies of water may function as well because the changes in temperature from the sun and sea can produce moving air as well.

Many people are now expressing interest in wind power generation especially with the constant increase of electricity prices. Some  homeowners even set up windmills to supply energy for their homes. Building a windmill is easy. DIY windmills are even available online with complete instructions for installation.