But once electricity is made, it has to get from the wind turbines to our homes, factories and schools. The electricity transmission system is discussed in our next chapter. Here's What We Learned Wind energy can be used to do work. Wind has been used for many years to drive boats and in windmills to grind grains or pump water. Wind turbines are being used today to make electricity.
Wind spins the large blades which turn generators inside the turbine to make electricity.
California's nearly 13,500 wind turbines can supply enough electricity to power an entire city. Or, visit a Web site that has an Illustrated History of Wind Energy .