How Do Windmills Work | Electricity From Windmills

How Do Windmills Work?

When reduced to the basics, windmills are very simple machines. Before recorded history, people were using a version of a windmill called a “sail” to power their boats through the water. The harnessing of the massive power of the wind made it possible for man to build boats large enough to explore the world. And, to eventually settle North America, giving birth to the United States.

Before the industrial age, wind power was a major source of power.

But the question is, how do windmills work?

Kinetic energy of the wind is transformed into mechanical or electrical energy that can perform work. Traditionally, the windmill was used to move water and grind grain – both heavy and time-consuming tasks that had to be accomplished to feed hungry populations.
Like sails on a ship, the blades of a windmill are pushed by the wind, transforming this force into a spinning, or rotating force.

Using a set of gears and a shaft, this force is transferred to a pump to move water, a set of stones to grind grain, a a pulley to power a sawmill, machine shop or any number of other applications.

Really, it’s as simple as that. The force of the wind is turned into a rotating force that can easily be used to perform work.

Today, windmills are being used to generate electricity – they’re then called wind turbines. The only major difference between a windmill from 2 centuries ago and a modern windmill is the electrical generator attached to the shaft of a modern windmill, instead of gears or a pump.

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