Sumner 10 kW, Private Owner 31. As wind passes through spinning blades on a turbine, a rotor captures the kinetic energy of the wind and converts it into rotary motion. This motion drives a generator, producing electricity for use at the location. It is also often fed into a utility grid for use by all consumers. The amount of energy in wind is a function of wind speed.
Wind speed varies with the seasons, time of day, and region.
Wind turbines are often built on towers 100 feet high or more because turbulence is greater close to the ground. Due to the intermittency of wind, turbines in Iowa produce wind energy at about 30 to 40 percent of their full capacity potential. An important factor in wind production is assessing the wind potential of a geographic region. Wind Energy Resource Information Sheet - Iowa . Pacific Northwest Laboratory.