FAQs: Wind Energy

1. What is renewable energy?
2. How is this specific renewable energy generated?
3. What is a wind turbine?
4. How does a wind turbine work?
5. How much energy can one wind turbine generate?

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1. What is renewable energy?

The term "renewable energy" generally is used to define electricity generated from unlimited natural resources like wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass. Traditional fossil fuels are termed "nonrenewable" because they rely on finite resources. Renewable energy resources, such as wind power, are infinite in supply.

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2. How is this specific renewable energy generated?

PNM renewable resource is powered by the New Mexico Wind Energy Center, which consists of 136 wind turbines near House, N.M. Learn more about the New Mexico Wind Energy Center

Learn more about the New Mexico Wind Energy Center

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3. What is a wind turbine?

A wind turbine is a mechanism that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity for consumers. Two basic wind turbine configurations exist: horizontal-axis turbine, which is more common for utility-scale programs and which are the variety at the New Mexico Wind Energy Center vertical axis turbine, often referred to as the "egg beater" style.

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4. How does a wind turbine work?

The natural power of the wind is harnessed by blades that convert it into rotational shaft energy. The rotor is connected to a nacelle, or enclosure, which contains the drive train and a generator. The rotor and nacelle sit atop a large tower; the New Mexico Wind Energy towers are 210 feet tall.

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5. How much energy can one wind turbine generate?

Wind turbines vary is size and, subsequently, vary in energy output. The New Mexico Wind Energy Center’s turbines each generate 1.5 megawatts (1.5 million watts) for a total capacity of 204 megawatts.

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