Wind Farm Basics

Utility scale wind farms typically range from 25 to over 100 wind turbines. Each turbine generates between 1 and 2 megawatts of electric power. A megawatt is enough electricity to power approximately 600 homes. The turbines are connected to a transformer and each transformer is connected to an underground electricity collection system. The underground collection system channels the electricity to an onsite substation. The substation contains additional transformers, which increase the voltage for transmission to the electrical grid. The collection lines will carry a voltage of 34 kilovolts. At the substation, this voltage will be stepped-up to higher voltage for transmission.

Each turbine consists of a concrete foundation, steel tower, and nacelle (unit housing gear box and electricity generating equipment) atop the steel tower. A rotor hub and rotor blades attach to the front of the nacelle. Tower heights typically range between 197 feet (60 meters) and 262 feet (80 meters). Projected turbine blade length is between 30 and 45 meters. The overall height (tower and blade combined) will range between 328 feet (100 meters) and 412 feet (125 meters). In their downward swing, blades will not reach closer to the ground than 66 feet (20 meters) and will likely remain as much as 131 feet (40 meters) above the ground at the lowest point in their rotation. Towers, blades and nacelles are painted in a shade of off-white or light grey that fits in best with their surroundings. The turbine's maximum speed is 17 revolutions per minute. It takes more than three seconds for one complete rotation.