Causes of wind

Wind is caused by differences in the 

atmospheric pressure.

When a difference in atmospheric pressure

 exists, air moves from the higher to the lower
pressure area, resulting in winds of various
speeds.

Globally, the two major driving factors of

large-scale wind patterns are
• The differential heating between the
equator and the poles (difference in
absorption of solar energy leading
to buoyancy forces)
• The rotation of the planet (Coriolis
effect ) .
The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the
process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical
power or electricity.

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into

mechanical power.

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful

form of energy, such as using:
• wind turbines to make electricity
• windmills for mechanical power,
• windpumps for water pumping
 Wind Turbines
A wind turbine is the opposite of a fan.

 Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a

fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity.

 The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft,

which connects to a generator and makes
electricity.
WINDMILL DESIGN
 A Windmill captures wind
energy and then uses a
generator to convert it to
electrical energy.

The design of a windmill is an

integral part of how efficient it
will be.

 When designing a windmill,

one must decide on the size of
the turbine, and the size of
the generator.