Wind Energy

Wind energy refers to the production of useful mechanical or electrical power using the kinetic energy of the wind. Wind is ultimately the result of radiation from the sun, which heats Earth's surface and atmosphere. The amount of heat generated by the sun varies from one area to another, leading to differences in air pressure, which in turn produces the airflow that is called wind. Because wind is constantly being produced by solar heating, it is regarded as a renewable source of energy.

People discovered long ago that they could harness the energy of the wind to move ships with sails and produce mechanical power. For centuries, windmills have been used to perform mechanical tasks, such as grinding grain or...