Final answer:
Wind energy is harnessed through wind turbines that use the wind's kinetic energy to spin blades connected to a generator, inducing an electric current that supplies the grid with power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wind energy works by converting the kinetic energy from the wind into electricity using wind turbines. As the wind pushes the blades of the turbine, they spin a shaft, which is attached to magnets. The rotation of these magnets around a conductive coil induces an electric current in the coil. This electric current is then used to feed the electrical grid, supplying homes and businesses with power. Wind turbines are an environmentally friendly way to produce energy, as they do not emit pollutants and do not require water for cooling.
The technology behind wind power is not new; it has been used for centuries in different ways such as for milling grain or pumping water. The modern usage is predominantly to generate electricity.
Moreover, hydroelectric installations work similarly by using the flow of water to turn a turbine, but wind energy harnesses the moving air to create rotational motion. The United States has seen significant growth in wind energy capacity, with wind turbines increasingly dotting the landscape.