We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Are Renewable Energy Turbines?

Helen Akers
By Helen Akers
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Renewable energy turbines are devices that circulate air or water to create electricity. The outer portion of renewable energy turbines consists of blades that turn in a circular motion when they interact with wind and water. Inside these turbines are mechanical shafts and motors that convert those motions into energy.

Wind farms contain multiple renewable energy turbines. They are usually positioned in rows that consistently generate electricity as long as there is wind. Renewable energy turbines typically consist of three blades that are attached to the end of a cylinder like object. In the case of wind turbines, the cylinder may sit on top of a pole that is implanted in the ground. Water turbines may be freestanding in the sense that they float on the surface of the water.

The cylinder's interior contains several controllers, motors, a pitch, and a brake. There is a gear box located near one of the cam shafts. A controller usually sits by the generator and is directly connected to a wind vane that extends to the end of the enclosed exterior. The rotor and pitch are actually a part of each blade.

Water and wind renewable energy turbines contain a generator that is stimulated by the movement of the internal motors and gears. When stimulated, the generator is responsible for producing electricity. Turbines that create electricity with wind power are either classified as vertical or horizontal. These classifications refer to the design of the turbine's axis.

Besides the wind turbines that contain three propeller blades, there are versions that resemble large fans or airplane engines. A wind cube design contains two sets of propellers in separate partitions that are attached to a tower. This design was created to sit on top of buildings, especially in space challenged cities. New designs are focused on developing turbines that can be launched into the air.

It is possible to operate wind turbines on land or place them offshore, in oceans or other bodies of water. Depending upon the power generating capacity and size of the turbines, multiple rows may be installed. Some farms or rural grasslands feature two or three turbines, while others contain an amount similar to the length of traditional electric lines.

Both wind and water turbines are considered to be clean and efficient sources of renewable energy. They provide alternatives to electricity generated by the burning of fossil fuels. Examples of fossil fuels include coal and oil.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.