Example
Turbines can operate on land or offshore.
The catch
Output varies with wind conditions and system availability.
Related terms
Electrification, Energy conservation, Energy efficiency, Energy storage, Fossil fuel, Heat pump
In more depth
Wind power, explained.
Wind power output rises steeply with wind speed, which is why site choice and turbine height matter so much. Taller towers and longer blades reach steadier, faster air, and offshore sites usually offer stronger and more consistent wind than land.
Its life-cycle emissions are low and come mostly from the steel and concrete in towers and foundations. The practical limits sit elsewhere. The IEA identifies slow permitting and grid connections as major barriers to building more, and wind output needs balancing through interconnected grids and energy storage. In some regions winter winds complement summer sun, which helps when wind and solar share a system. Careful siting reduces harm to birds and bats.