Uncovering the Truth: Wind Frequently Asked Questions
Who is National Grid Renewables?
National Grid Renewables develops renewable energy projects that power up America’s grid and ignite local economic growth.
Proudly farmer-founded with deep roots in the soil, we’re passionate about empowering landowners with new revenue streams while respecting the interests of surrounding landowners — all while supporting local communities and building out the renewable energy solutions needed to power a sustainable future.
We believe that a fair deal is good business. We develop projects that respect the land, respect the community, and respect workers all along the supply chain. And as a unique end-to-end partner — developing, constructing, owning, and operating projects — we’re accountable to deliver projects on-time and on-budget to drive collective success for all stakeholders.
We’re powering progress, together.
What are the main components of a wind turbine?
- Rotor blades: These blades capture wind energy and convert it into rotational energy. Most modern wind turbines have three blades, designed to optimize conversion efficiency.
- Hub: The hub connects the rotor blades to the main shaft and allows them to spin. It is usually mounted on the front of the nacelle.
- Nacelle: This housing contains most of the components of the turbine, including the gearbox, generator, controller, and brake. It sits on top of the tower.
- Gearbox: The gearbox increases the rotational speed of the rotor blades to a level that is appropriate for generating electricity. It connects the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft.
- Generator: This device converts the mechanical energy from the rotating blades into electrical energy. It is typically located inside the nacelle.
- Controller: The controller manages the operation of the turbine, ensuring it operates efficiently and safely. It monitors wind conditions and adjusts the blade pitch and yaw accordingly.
- Brake: The brake can be applied to stop the rotor in case of an emergency or for maintenance purposes.
- Tower: The tower supports the nacelle and rotor blades at a height where they can capture the most wind energy. Towers are most often made of steel and can be tubular or lattice in structure.
- Foundation: The foundation anchors the turbine to the ground, providing stability. It is made of concrete and designed to withstand various environmental conditions.
- Electrical System: This includes cables, transformers, and other equipment that transmit the electricity generated by the turbine to the power grid.
How does a wind turbine produce energy?
- Energy is created when the wind blows with enough speed to spin the rotor (A) and blades (B) of the wind turbine.
- The spinning rotors cause a shaft (C) inside the nacelle to rotate.
- This slowly rotating shaft enters a gearbox (D) that increases the rotational shaft speed.
- Another shaft, called the output (or high speed) shaft is connected to a generator (E), which converts the rotational movement into electricity.
- Finally, the newly produced electricity is sent through a series of collector lines to a project substation.
- At the project substation, the power is transformed from low voltage to high voltage and transported to the transmission grid at the point-of-interconnect (POI).
How much wind is needed to power a wind turbine?
Wind turbines will start to generate power when the wind speed is about 7 miles per hour and reach their rated capacity (i.e., the maximum amount of power they can generate) at 25-30 miles per hour. The blades rotate at about 10 revolutions per minute. Turbines use instruments mounted on the top of the nacelle to orient themselves facing into the wind, which maximizes energy output.
How much energy does a wind turbine produce?
Over the course of a year, a wind turbine can be expected to generate around 40-50% of its theoretical maximum output, which is known as its “capacity factor”. A 4-megawatt (MW) wind turbine at a reasonable site will produce approximately 16,000,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year, which is the equivalent electrical use of 2,200 homes for a year. A wind turbine generally operates for 20 to 25 years. Just like a car, some parts of the turbine may need to be replaced or maintained during its lifetime.
Are wind farms safe for nearby people?
Over 70,000 wind turbines are installed in the U.S., and many peer-reviewed scientific studies have published documentation that wind farms do not cause negative health impacts to their neighbors.
Learn more about the health impacts of wind farms.
Will a wind farm impact surrounding property values?
We strongly believe in supporting landowner property rights and acknowledge the concern about wind energy affecting property values. Fortunately, this subject is well-studied, and research shows that wind farm installations typically have no negative impacts on surrounding property values in rural areas.
One of the most comprehensive studies, done in 2023 by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), concluded that any impacts on property values are temporary and typically only observed in urban areas; no effects were observed on property values near wind farms in rural areas.
Are wind turbines noisy?
No, wind turbines are not noisy. On average, land-based, utility-scale wind turbines generate sound levels between 35 and 45 decibels (dB) at a distance of 300 meters — the usual minimum distance from homes or buildings. This is quieter than a standard refrigerator (about 50 dB) and far less noise pollution than city traffic, which can reach 70 dB.
For offshore wind farms, a 2020 Danish study found that turbine noise underwater is 10–20 decibels lower than ship noise within the same frequency range. Additionally, offshore turbines are placed far enough from land that their sound is unlikely to reach nearby communities. Any neighboring property would not be able to discern the noise of a wind turbine as it would be overwhelmed by ambient nature sounds.
Learn more about wind turbine noise.
Why is wind critical to the modern energy grid?
Wind energy helps diversify our energy sources and keeps our grid strong so we can keep the lights on in homes, businesses, and critical facilities like schools and hospitals. We want to invest in our grid now, to provide stability for future generations of Americans. As technological advancements continue and costs further decrease, wind power is a cornerstone of the transition towards cleaner and more resilient energy systems, providing diversified energy resources for the grid.
- Consistent resource and grid support: Wind energy complements other forms of energy, filling in gaps and making our grid stronger overall. For instance, wind energy can complement solar energy by producing power during different periods, such as at night or during winter months when solar output is lower. This capability enhances grid stability by providing reliable electricity across varying conditions and reducing dependence on any single energy source. Moreover, wind energy is a key component in so-called “firm renewables” that integrate wind and solar to provide a flexible, dispatchable resource that can provide power precisely when it’s needed most.
- Integration into the energy mix: Wind energy plays a pivotal role in the overall energy mix, particularly as states and utilities prioritize Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs). IRPs assess the optimal strategies for reliably and affordably supplying electricity to consumers. With the cost-effectiveness and reliability of wind energy improving, more IRPs are incorporating wind power to diversify energy resources and achieve energy goals efficiently.
- Reliability and resilience: Wind power generation relies solely on wind, offering a stable and predictable domestic energy source that mitigates risks associated with fuel price spikes or shortages. This stability enhances domestic energy security and resilience within the utility’s generation portfolio.
- Offsetting greenhouse gas emissions: Large-scale wind projects can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Learn more about the value of wind power.
Why are wind projects increasingly popular with farmers and landowners?
Wind projects give landowners a modern land-use diversification strategy, delivering steady income that’s not subject to volatility in weather, commodity prices, or input costs. Wind energy projects offer local farmers predictability and stability as they look toward the future of their farming operations.
Predictable farming income benefits local communities by helping family farms remain in production — which means more support to local businesses, a more stable local agriculture economy, and stronger rural communities. Wind energy projects are like a cash crop that can help prop up farmers during periods of low prices. Furthermore, the average turbine and its associated access road generally take less than half an acre.
How do wind projects generate economic value for communities?
- Local tax revenue: Wind energy projects generate economic growth throughout the project’s host communities, including significant new tax revenue for municipalities and counties.
- Creating jobs: Wind projects require a significant workforce during the construction phase as well as a smaller number of ongoing roles in project operations. Operational jobs are well-paying with good benefits, providing new opportunities for future generations to stay in the rural communities where they grew up.
- Stimulus to local economies: Wind energy projects also provide an influx of local spending in host communities. Construction workers spend money at local restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, and other small businesses, creating a boost in income for small business owners and the local economy.
- Charitable community fund: Being farmer-founded, National Grid Renewables stays true to our roots by prioritizing the needs of the communities where we work. We pledge charitable funds to directly support the community for every project we own and operate over 50 megawatts.
- Enhancing local infrastructure: To deliver and build large wind turbines, a local community’s roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are often improved, refined, and ultimately left in better condition than they were prior to construction of the wind farm. These infrastructure improvements are paid for by National Grid Renewables with no cost to landowners or community members.
Value at every stage
| Development | Construction | Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Throughout development, employees, land agents, construction companies, power purchasers, and other wind industry professionals visit the local area, which puts money back into the community’s pocket via spending at restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and retail shops. | During the construction phase, wind project communities experience another boom in local spending categories. Wind projects cause an influx of new construction jobs in the local area, which means even more revenue for local shops, restaurants, and hotels. | Once a wind project is operational, it contributes to the local tax base, which can include increased income for local school districts, fire and police departments, counties, and townships. The local community also benefits from a project charitable fund, which makes donations to local non-profits. |
How does wind energy maximize concurrent agricultural land use?
In general, most wind-generating facilities and related infrastructure require approximately a half-acre of land per turbine. Across a typical wind project, landowners typically maintain more than 97% of their existing land use. Additionally, because of lucrative land leases, landowners have the comfort of knowing they have a guaranteed income for the duration of their lease — usually a period of 20 years or more.
How do wind projects support the preservation of productive agricultural land?
The design of a wind farm will consider existing infrastructure, such as drain tile, center pivot irrigation systems, and any rights-of-way that may already exist on your land, including utility easements. Wind turbines will be set back far enough so as not to impact the infrastructure that is installed — including drain tile, center pivots and other farm infrastructure — but can be farther away depending on the terms of the lease and the type of infrastructure.
Can wind turbines be built on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land?
Wind turbines can be placed on CRP land. In most cases, the square footage occupied by the turbines and access roads is removed from CRP. National Grid Renewables will compensate the landowner for CRP early termination fees and penalties.
How is wildlife protected around project sites?
Before constructing a wind farm, National Grid Renewables conducts local wildlife studies to ensure each project is developed in an environmentally friendly way. Factors like bird migration routes and animal breeding areas are considered when choosing a turbine location. National Grid Renewables also develops a Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy for each wind energy project, which addresses the protection of sensitive species.
- Birds: Birds do collide with wind turbines, but the overall impact of wind turbines on birds is miniscule when compared to other sources of avian mortality — such as collisions with vehicles and buildings or becoming prey for larger animals.
Learn more about how wind farms affect birds. - Bald eagles: As a symbol of our nation’s freedom, we take the protection of bald eagles very seriously. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed the Eagle Conservation Plan Guide (ECPG), which supplements the Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (WEGs), to protect current eagle populations and encourage growth. National Grid Renewables is committed to following these voluntary standards, building wind projects that align with both the ECPG and WEGs guidelines.
- Bats: Multiple bat species in the United States are or will soon be protected under the Endangered Species Act due to declining populations. The primary cause is white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease that first appeared in the U.S. in 2006.
While wind projects are not the primary contributor to bat populations impacted by WNS, National Grid Renewables takes potential negative impacts on these sensitive species seriously when considering a new project. Before constructing a wind project, National Grid Renewables consults with wildlife biologists to better understand the local bat population within our project footprints. Wildlife biologists collect and analyze acoustic data (bat calls), bat species logs (through mist-netting), and data identifying known hibernation locations. Together, this data helps National Grid Renewables make informed decisions about where we site and how we operate our projects for minimal environmental impact.
Learn more about how wind farms affect bats.
How is a wind farm site selected?
Sustained wind speeds are critical to a project’s economic viability, so developers look for the windiest sites. The proximity of turbines to electric transmission lines is another important factor in evaluating the economic viability of a wind farm. Additionally, land features (such as hills and ravines), vegetation, and nearby structures can affect how a site is valued for wind farm development. Environmental impacts related to view-sheds, sound, birds, wetlands, and historical preservation also affect the viability of a project. Lastly, in addition to wind and transmission considerations, a highly motivated landowner group, combined with local support, is key to a successful project.
How do meteorological towers help with site selection?
Meteorological towers (met towers) are scientific tools that are used to gather weather information at a particular site, which is critical for understanding how to best site the turbines to maximize energy production.
- Temporary met towers may be installed for several years before the project is built, and one or more permanent met towers may be built to monitor the wind farm’s efficiency over time. Towers measure wind speed, wind direction, and temperature at three or more heights to understand the dynamics of the wind at and around hub height.
- Most met towers are tubular structures, just under 200 feet tall, and stabilized by a set of guy wires. We may occasionally use taller towers that are free-standing and have a foundation, particularly once the project is operational.
- The number of met towers installed on a project varies with the size and type of terrain in the area. Small projects on flat land may need only one or two, whereas large projects with significant elevation changes across the site may require 10 or more.
- The towers are marked for visibility according to applicable regulations using some combination of marker balls, guy sleeves, lighting, and alternating colors of paint.
- It is usually possible to farm the area between the guy wires. Our best practice is to place met towers in locations that are less disruptive to farming practices. Local regulations usually place requirements on where met towers can be installed.
What are site and setback requirements for wind turbines?
Wind turbines are usually spaced at least 5 to 10 rotor diameters apart. Developers place wind turbines as close together as possible to minimize road and wiring costs but spacing them too closely together produces turbulence known as “wake loss,” which reduces the turbines’ efficiency.
Throughout the development process, National Grid Renewables will consider landowner input when siting turbines and answer any questions they may have about their locations. We have developed our own science-based best practices for setbacks that take into consideration noise and shadow flicker. Ultimately, we adhere to setback requirements as mandated by local communities and state laws.
How do you maintain the integrity of drain tiles?
Having a functional tile network is important in maximizing a farm’s yield, so we take every tile seriously. National Grid Renewables considers both existing and planned tile systems throughout the development and site design process. This meticulous planning ensures that any drain tile disturbed during the construction process is returned to the way it was found prior to construction — meaning less time, less hassle, and no cost for landowners.
To help us minimize impacts to the tile networks, National Grid Renewables collects tile data from various sources:
- Landowner tile maps
- Local tile company data
- Aerial infra-red imagery
- County tile data
How are tile disruptions handled?
National Grid Renewables understands that not all drain tiles can be mapped and avoided, so it is company practice in heavily tiled areas to trench underground collector lines instead of plowing. This way, we can see the tile that is damaged and fix it on the spot.
Additionally, it is our policy to work with a local tile company throughout the development process. National Grid Renewables will repair any damaged or crushed tile at no cost to the landowner for up to five years after construction is completed.
How long does it take to construct a wind energy project?
Construction of a wind farm typically takes at least one year from commencement of construction to commercial operation, depending upon the size of the project.
What can landowners expect during wind farm construction?
Throughout our development/pre-construction/design phase, National Grid Renewables and its contractors may need to access your land to perform studies, surveys, or tests. These may include:
- Road surveys
- American Land Title Association (ALTA) and other property surveys
- Environmental studies that may be focused on birds, bats, and other species
- Wetlands delineations and archaeological studies
- Geotechnical testing and soil boring
What is the construction process?
Every wind project’s construction plan is unique, but the process includes the following:
- Public roadway improvements and the construction of access roads to each turbine site
- Site excavation, placement of underground cabling, and pouring of wind turbine foundation
- Erection of wind turbine towers, including placing the nacelle (which houses the gearbox, generator, and other key controls) and installing blades
- Quality assurance testing before the commencement of operations
Does wind farm construction disrupt the surrounding community?
- Traffic and road use: The National Grid Renewables construction team works with local road authorities and county engineers to establish a comprehensive road use and maintenance agreement. This establishes haul routes, current road conditions, and maintenance protocols to mitigate disruptions and minimize the impact on local infrastructure.
- Emergency response protocols: National Grid Renewables establishes emergency response protocols for its sites, and collaborates with local fire departments and EMS prior to construction and operation, including conducting emergency drills.
How do you manage access to the land during construction?
National Grid Renewables has strict land access standards that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Anyone who accesses signed property within the project footprint has been properly vetted and is insured, licensed, and bonded, as applicable.
- Before accessing property, individuals are provided maps of the land, as well as the overall project map. These maps include current structures and field approaches. Additionally, the project manager will discuss how to properly access the property to ensure the land is protected.
- Once on the property, necessary studies and work will be performed as explained and detailed in the notification provided by National Grid Renewables. Stringent and cautious measures are taken to avoid damage to the property.
- These measures include, but are not limited to:
- Limiting access by vehicle during wet weather
- Travel across and work done on the property will be planned to eliminate or reduce crop damage, compaction damage, rutting, tile damage, or other impacts
Furthermore, if anyone accessing the property is unsure about the permitted and restricted areas, they are required to contact the project manager.
Does wind farm construction damage the land?
National Grid Renewables’ agreements provide many protections for landowners to ensure that they don’t incur costs or risks during development and construction.
- Crop damage payments: Our construction teams design plans to mitigate negative effects on existing crops on the project site and surrounding land. In the event crop damage does occur, we fully compensate landowners for the resulting financial impacts.
- Drain tile repairs: For every wind project we develop, we analyze the location of existing drain tile and design project layouts around it. If we are unable to design around drain tile, we take great care when cutting into the tile to minimize impacts. Just like our crop damage clause, National Grid Renewables offers drain tile damage payments. After construction, any property that may have been disturbed is restored to the same or similar condition of its original condition.
- Storm water runoff: Sites are designed and permitted utilizing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan utilizing a third-party engineer. We install and maintain Best Management Practices to minimize and prevent any sediment from being discharged from site.
Will the wind project include battery storage?
Some wind projects may include battery storage. There are multiple benefits to local communities: Battery storage increases local reliability and resilience of the local grid by having a back-up source of energy; it diversifies electric generator portfolios; and it helps integrate the use of renewable resources. Whether or not a project contains storage will be dependent on the transmission infrastructure and market demands.
Learn more about energy storage projects.
What will the permanent operations team look like?
The responsibilities of National Grid Renewables’ Operations & Maintenance teams include annual preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting, warranty management, corrective maintenance, routine equipment inspections, road and grounds maintenance, and plant inspections occurring regularly and as needed.
How is the land managed during operation of the wind project?
Land management at wind sites is a critical aspect of ensuring optimal energy production and site efficiency. National Grid Renewables’ site staff ensure that the roads leading to and from the wind turbines are kept in safe working order and free of weeds. We also ensure that areas around the wind turbines and our collection equipment are kept free of weeds and unwanted vegetation. We work with landowners to address any concerns in a timely and effective manner.
What does a wind farm remove operations control center do?
The National Grid Renewables Remote Operations Center (ROC) serves as a centralized hub for monitoring, controlling, and managing the operations of renewable energy assets remotely. The ROC’s primary functions include:
- Performance monitoring and optimization through real-time data collection
- Fault and malfunction detection for rapid response and troubleshooting to minimize downtime and maximize energy generation
- Maintenance management and optimization
- Remote control of various aspects of the energy assets to meet grid demands
- Grid integration and power dispatch to meet demand while maintaining grid stability
- Maintaining security and regulatory compliance through robust physical security and cybersecurity measures
- In emergencies, such as extreme weather or grid disruptions, the ROC plays a crucial role in coordinating response efforts, implementing contingency plans, and restoring operations as quickly as possible
What is wind farm repowering?
National Grid Renewables and our partners may repower wind farms at least once during their lifetimes. Repowering is the act of replacing older wind turbines and turbine components with newer versions to extend usefulness for many years.
How is a wind project decommissioned?
For each project, National Grid Renewables drafts a decommissioning plan outlining how we will comply with local, state, and federal decommissioning requirements (including financial assurances) to ensure facilities are removed at the end of a project’s useful life. Decommissioning plans include:
- An estimate for the cost to decommission the entire project (which is borne by National Grid Renewables and our partners — not the landowners or community members).
- A plan detailing how, when, and why a decommissioning process would commence.
- A financial security (letter of credit, bond, or cash escrow) to cover the full cost of decommissioning the wind farm, including crop damages from demolition.
- The name of the financial institution responsible for managing the funds and the procedure that the responsible government unit will follow to draw on them.
The plan will be reviewed and approved by the appropriate government unit before construction can begin.
What is a decommissioning plan?
The decommissioning plan describes the steps taken to remove a project after its useful life and provides a basis for establishing a financial surety to protect host landowners, adjacent landowners, and local taxpayers.
Decommissioning activities include dismantling and repurposing, salvaging or recycling, disposing of project facilities, and restoring land to the same or similar condition before construction, allowing for the site to be returned to its original or another use.
Where can I learn more about renewable energy wind farms?
For additional questions about wind projects or National Grid Renewables, visit any one of our office locations, or call us at 952.988.9000. You can also email your questions and comments to [email protected], or continue to learn more about our wind projects.