Global Wind Turbines

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Wind turbine systems use blades spinning on either a horizontal or vertical axis in response to the kinetic energy of wind to create a force that can be used to power an electric generator. In most commercial-scale wind turbines, the electric generator is housed in the nacelle, making all of these products turbine generators.

Individual wind turbines – the majority of which have outputs of between 50 kilowatts (kW) and 4 megawatts (MW) – are generally configured together into “wind farms” or “wind parks” to provide grid-connected power, and such farms create the majority of demand for wind turbines in any given year.

Wind turbines are considered one of the most environmentally appealing solutions for electricity production. However, the area needed for large-scale wind power installations has led to a number of concerns. For example, coastal areas often rely on scenic views for property values and tourism, and wind turbines are considered by many as aesthetically unappealing, limiting the area in which coastal farms can be constructed. Additionally, the potential negative impact on wildlife has also been an issue to greater adoption.

Excluded from the scope of this report are turbine blades and other separately sold parts and components of complete wind turbines.

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