flagship course

Wind Energy Fundamentals

Learn how wind turbines turn wind into power, how sites are assessed, and the safety, cost and community basics.

about this course

What you will be able to do

L3 Foundation30:00 h of lessons plus practice and sharingSelf-paced with peer circle

Understand Explain how a turbine converts wind into electricity.
Apply Estimate energy from wind speed and rotor size.
Analyse Compare sites and turbine types.
Evaluate Judge cost, noise, wildlife and safety.
Create Write a simple feasibility note for a small wind project.

Task, condition and standard

Task

Produce a feasibility note for a small wind installation, with a wind data table, energy estimate, cost and payback, safety and community checks.

Condition

A computer, public wind data for a chosen site, a spreadsheet, two peers and a mentor engineer. No work at height is done in this course.

Standard

Energy estimate uses stated formulas and units; payback is calculated in your currency; safety and community points are listed; assumptions are written; peers rate Meets or better.

Who it is for: Technicians, engineering students, community energy groups, small farm owners. Requirements: none. Materials: lesson text, worked examples, templates, rubric, quiz, tracker.

lesson by lesson

8 modules with worked examples

Module 1 How a wind turbine works 3 hUnderstand

A wind turbine turns the push of moving air into electricity. Knowing the parts and the physics lets you judge any site or machine.

Blades turn a rotor; a generator (with or without a gearbox) makes electricity.
Power in wind = 0.5 x air density x swept area x wind speed cubed, so doubling speed gives eight times the power.
No turbine captures more than about 59 per cent of wind power; real machines reach 35 to 45 per cent.
Turbines start at about 3 m/s, reach rated power near 12 m/s and stop in storms for safety.

Worked example. A rotor 4 m across sweeps 12.6 square metres. In a 6 m/s wind the air carries 0.5 x 1.2 x 12.6 x 216 = 1,633 W. At 40 per cent the turbine gives about 650 W. At 3 m/s it gives only about 80 W.

Activity. Label a turbine diagram and calculate power at 4, 6 and 8 m/s.

Standard to meet. Complete the parts correctly, get three power values right and explain the cube effect in one sentence.

Module 2 Wind resource and sites 4 hAnalyse

Good wind makes or breaks a project, and wind data decides whether to continue.

Use at least one year of data at hub height; short records mislead.
Trees, buildings and hills cause turbulence; put the rotor well above them.
Record average speed, direction and the share of time in each speed band.
Check the distance to the load and to the grid connection.

Worked example. A hilltop averages 6.5 m/s at 30 m height; a sheltered valley averages 4.2 m/s. The hilltop produces nearly four times the energy from the same turbine.

Activity. Tabulate monthly average wind speed for a real or practice site with the data source.

Standard to meet. Build a table with twelve months, units and source.

Module 3 Estimating energy 5 hApply

A simple estimate tells you if a project is worth a closer look.

Annual energy = rated power x 8,760 hours x capacity factor.
Small wind capacity factors are often 10 to 25 per cent.
Take the lower value if the data is poor.
Compare with the yearly use of the building.

Worked example. A 5 kW turbine at 18 per cent capacity factor gives 5 x 8,760 x 0.18 = 7,884 kWh a year. A home using 6,000 kWh a year would cover all of its need over a year; at 10 per cent the output falls to 4,380 kWh.

Activity. Estimate yearly energy for low, medium and high capacity factors.

Standard to meet. Calculate three results correctly and compare them with the user load.

Module 4 Turbine types and sizes 3 hAnalyse

Choose the right size and type for the site and the need.

Horizontal axis machines are common and efficient; vertical axis machines suit gusty, low-height sites but usually produce less.
Match rated power to the load and to the wind speed at the site.
Tower height matters more than a bigger rotor in rough terrain.
Grid-tied and battery-backed designs have different cost and control.

Worked example. For a farm needing 20 kWh a day, a 3 kW machine at 20 per cent factor gives 14 kWh a day, so a 5 kW machine is the better fit.

Activity. Choose a turbine for a given load and site and justify it.

Standard to meet. Show size, type, tower height and one reason for each choice.

Module 5 Cost and payback 4 hEvaluate

Count the full cost and the full benefit.

Include turbine, tower, foundation, electrical work, permits and labour.
Include maintenance (about 2 to 3 per cent of cost a year) and inverter replacement.
Annual saving = kWh produced x price per kWh.
Payback = cost / annual saving; test weak-wind cases.

Worked example. A 5 kW system costs 600,000 INR (an estimate; check your market). It makes 7,884 kWh a year at 8 INR per kWh, saving 63,072 INR a year, less 15,000 INR a year for maintenance. A net saving of 48,072 INR a year gives a payback of 12.5 years. At a 10 per cent capacity factor, payback passes 25 years and the project is not worth it.

Activity. Build the cost and payback table for two wind cases.

Standard to meet. Add up the costs, show both cases and state a go or no-go.

Module 6 Safety and maintenance 4 hApply

Heights, rotating parts and electricity are serious hazards.

Work at height only with training, harness and a rescue plan.
Lock out the turbine and electrical supply before work.
Check bolts, blades, brakes and cables on a schedule.
Keep people clear of blade throw and ice fall zones.

Worked example. A yearly check finds a loose tower bolt and a cracked blade tip; the turbine is stopped and repaired before it runs again.

Activity. Write a one-page maintenance and safety plan.

Standard to meet. Plan lists checks, frequency, who does them and stop rules.

Module 7 Environment and community 3 hEvaluate

Projects work best when neighbours and nature are considered from the start.

Noise, shadow flicker and view concerns need honest discussion.
Check bird and bat routes and apply local rules.
Keep a safe distance from homes and roads, often at least the tower height plus blade length; check the local rule.
Share benefits where possible.

Worked example. Residents are shown a noise estimate and a map of the safe distance. The turbine is moved 80 m away after they ask.

Activity. List four community and nature checks with an action for each.

Standard to meet. Check that all four are practical and assign each an owner.

Module 8 Write the feasibility note 4 hCreate

Bring it together into a clear decision note.

State the need and the site.
Show the wind table, energy estimate and payback.
Cover safety, permits and community.
End with go, no-go or measure more, with the reason.

Worked example. The note recommends one more year of measurement because the first-year data covers only seven months.

Activity. Write the two-page feasibility note.

Standard to meet. Include all parts, agree the numbers and justify the decision.

assessment

How you are checked

Your evidence: wind data table, energy and payback sheet, safety checklist, feasibility note. Two peers and one mentor mark it with this rubric. Pass: no criterion at 'Not yet'.

Marking rubric (Not yet, Meets, Exceeds)
Criterion	Not yet	Meets	Exceeds
Energy estimate	Wrong units	Correct	Correct with sensitivity check
Cost and payback	Incomplete	Complete	Complete with options
Safety and community	Missing	Listed	Listed with controls
Wind data record	Speeds assumed	Speeds come from a stated source, with height and period	Source speeds corrected to hub height, with the uncertainty shown
Planning, noise and wildlife	Consents not checked	Planning, noise and wildlife rules for the place are written down	Rules checked with the local authority and a neighbour consulted

Ten-question check, with model answers

Q1. What does the generator do?

Model answer: Turns rotation into electricity. (Covered in module 1: How a wind turbine works. To pass that module: Complete the parts correctly, get three power values right and explain the cube effect in one sentence.)

Q2. What happens to power when wind doubles?

Model answer: About eight times more. (Covered in module 1: How a wind turbine works. To pass that module: Complete the parts correctly, get three power values right and explain the cube effect in one sentence.)

Q3. Swept area formula?

Model answer: Pi x radius squared. (Covered in module 1: How a wind turbine works. To pass that module: Complete the parts correctly, get three power values right and explain the cube effect in one sentence.)

Q4. Typical small capacity factor?

Model answer: 10 to 25 percent. (Covered in module 3: Estimating energy. To pass that module: Calculate three results correctly and compare them with the user load.)

Q5. Name a cost item.

Model answer: Turbine, tower, foundation, wiring, permits, maintenance. (Covered in module 5: Cost and payback. To pass that module: Add up the costs, show both cases and state a go or no-go.)

Q6. Payback formula?

Model answer: Cost divided by yearly benefit. (Covered in module 5: Cost and payback. To pass that module: Add up the costs, show both cases and state a go or no-go.)

Q7. Who may work at height?

Model answer: Trained, certified people. (Covered in module 6: Safety and maintenance. To pass that module: Plan lists checks, frequency, who does them and stop rules.)

Q8. Name two impacts.

Model answer: Noise and birds (or shadow flicker). (Covered in module 7: Environment and community. To pass that module: Check that all four are practical and assign each an owner.)

Q9. Why a year of wind data?

Model answer: To cover all seasons. (Covered in module 2: Wind resource and sites. To pass that module: Build a table with twelve months, units and source.)

Q10. Why decommissioning plan?

Model answer: To remove and recycle safely. (Covered in module 7: Environment and community. To pass that module: Check that all four are practical and assign each an owner.)

levels L1 to L7

The ladder, slide by slide

Seven slides, one per level. Open each for the slide text and the speaker notes.

Slide 1 L1 Basic: How a wind turbine works

L1: learner can name turbine parts. Focus module: How a wind turbine works (Understand, 3 h). A wind turbine turns the push of moving air into electricity. Knowing the parts and the physics lets you judge any site or machine. Key points: Blades turn a rotor; a generator (with or without a gearbox) makes electricity. Power in wind = 0.5 x air density x swept area x wind speed cubed, so doubling speed gives eight times the power. No turbine captures more than about 59 per cent of wind power; real machines reach 35 to 45 per cent. Turbines start at about 3 m/s, reach rated power near 12 m/s and stop in storms for safety.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. A rotor 4 m across sweeps 12.6 square metres. In a 6 m/s wind the air carries 0.5 x 1.2 x 12.6 x 216 = 1,633 W. At 40 per cent the turbine gives about 650 W. At 3 m/s it gives only about 80 W. Then set the activity: Label a turbine diagram and calculate power at 4, 6 and 8 m/s. Mark against the standard: Complete the parts correctly, get three power values right and explain the cube effect in one sentence. Check at this level: What does the generator do? Model answer: Turns rotation into electricity.

Slide 2 L2 Awareness: Wind resource and sites

L2: learner knows wind and safety basics. Focus module: Wind resource and sites (Analyse, 4 h). Good wind makes or breaks a project, and wind data decides whether to continue. Key points: Wind speed rises with height; trees, buildings and hills cause turbulence. Use at least a year of hourly or ten-minute averages from a mast or a trusted dataset. Choose open land away from obstacles, with road access and a grid or load nearby. Check land rights, distance from homes and any aviation or radar limits.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. A hilltop averages 6.5 m/s at 30 m height; a sheltered valley averages 4.2 m/s. The hilltop produces nearly four times the energy from the same turbine. Then set the activity: Tabulate monthly average wind speed for a real or practice site with the data source. Mark against the standard: Build a table with twelve months, units and source. Check at this level: Why a year of wind data? Model answer: To cover all seasons.

Slide 3 L3 Foundation: Estimating energy

L3: learner can estimate energy. Focus module: Estimating energy (Apply, 5 h). A simple estimate tells you if a project is worth a closer look. Key points: Annual energy = rated power x 8,760 hours x capacity factor. Small wind capacity factors are often 10 to 25 per cent. Take the lower value if the data is poor. Compare with the yearly use of the building.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. A 5 kW turbine at 18 per cent capacity factor gives 5 x 8,760 x 0.18 = 7,884 kWh a year. A home using 6,000 kWh a year would cover all of its need; at 10 per cent the output falls to 4,380 kWh. Then set the activity: Estimate yearly energy for low, medium and high capacity factors. Mark against the standard: Calculate three results correctly and compare them with the user load. Check at this level: Typical small capacity factor? Model answer: 10 to 25 percent.

Slide 4 L4 Practitioner: Turbine types and sizes

L4: learner can run a site wind log. Focus module: Turbine types and sizes (Analyse, 3 h). Choose the right size and type for the site and the need. Key points: Horizontal axis machines are common and efficient; vertical axis machines suit gusty, low-height sites but usually produce less. Match rated power to the load and to the wind speed at the site. Tower height matters more than a bigger rotor in rough terrain. Grid-tied and battery-backed designs have different cost and control.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. For a farm needing 20 kWh a day, a 3 kW machine at 20 per cent factor gives 14 kWh a day, so a 5 kW machine is the better fit. Then set the activity: Choose a turbine for a given load and site and justify it. Mark against the standard: Show size, type, tower height and one reason for each choice. Check at this level: Why does tower height matter? Model answer: In rough terrain it matters more than a bigger rotor, because the rotor must sit well above trees and buildings that cause turbulence.

Slide 5 L5 Specialist: Cost and payback

L5: learner can compare types and costs. Focus module: Cost and payback (Evaluate, 4 h). Count the full cost and the full benefit. Key points: Include turbine, tower, foundation, electrical work, permits and labour. Include maintenance (about 2 to 3 per cent of cost a year) and inverter replacement. Annual saving = kWh produced x price per kWh. Payback = cost / annual saving; test weak-wind cases.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. A 5 kW system costs 600,000. It makes 7,884 kWh at 8 per kWh, saving 63,072 a year, less 15,000 maintenance. Net saving 48,072 gives a payback of 12.5 years. At 10 per cent factor payback passes 25 years and the project is not worth it. Then set the activity: Build the cost and payback table for two wind cases. Mark against the standard: Add up the costs, show both cases and state a go or no-go. Check at this level: Name a cost item. Model answer: Turbine, tower, foundation, wiring, permits, maintenance.

Slide 6 L6 Advanced: Environment and community

L6: learner can coordinate a small project. Focus module: Environment and community (Evaluate, 3 h). Projects work best when neighbours and nature are considered from the start. Key points: Noise, shadow flicker and view concerns need honest discussion. Check bird and bat routes and apply local rules. Keep a safe distance from homes and roads, often at least the tower height plus blade length; check the local rule. Share benefits where possible.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. Residents are shown a noise estimate and a map of the safe distance. The turbine is moved 80 m away after they ask. Then set the activity: List four community and nature checks with an action for each. Mark against the standard: Check that all four are practical and assign each an owner. Check at this level: Name two impacts. Model answer: Noise and birds (or shadow flicker).

Slide 7 L7 Super expert: Write the feasibility note

L7: learner can audit a feasibility note. Focus module: Write the feasibility note (Create, 4 h). Bring it together into a clear decision note. Key points: State the need and the site. Show the wind table, energy estimate and payback. Cover safety, permits and community. End with go, no-go or measure more, with the reason.

Speaker notes. Teach: open with the worked example. The note recommends one more year of measurement because the first-year data covers only seven months. Then set the activity: Write the two-page feasibility note. Mark against the standard: Include all parts, agree the numbers and justify the decision. Check at this level: How should a feasibility note end? Model answer: With go, no-go or measure more, and the reason.

jobs this leads to

Where this takes you

Wind technician trainee. Supports site and maintenance.
Site assessment assistant. Collects wind data.
Community energy officer. Engages neighbours.
Energy analyst assistant. Builds estimates.
Project coordinator. Tracks permits.

Next courses: solar power basics, electric car basics, greenhouse gas auditing.

ten locations and global

Your place

Permits, grid rules and safety law differ by place.

India (Bengaluru)

Language: English, Hindi, Kannada. Write numbers in INR. Personal data rule: Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Skills frame to name in your evidence: National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and the national credit framework. Consumer rule: Consumer Protection Act 2019.

Netherlands (Eindhoven area)

Language: Dutch, English. Write numbers in EUR. Personal data rule: EU GDPR (Dutch: AVG), supervised by the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the Dutch qualification framework (NLQF) linked to the European Qualifications Framework. Consumer rule: EU and Dutch consumer rules (14-day cooling-off for online sales).

UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)

Language: Arabic, English. Write numbers in AED. Personal data rule: Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (personal data protection). Skills frame to name in your evidence: the emirate education and training regulators (for example KHDA in Dubai) and the national qualifications framework. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Brazil (Sao Paulo)

Language: Portuguese (Spanish and English support). Write numbers in BRL. Personal data rule: LGPD (Lei Geral de Protecao de Dados). Skills frame to name in your evidence: the national technical-education catalogue and the national S-system training bodies. Consumer rule: the Consumer Defence Code (CDC).

Canada (Toronto)

Language: English, French. Write numbers in CAD. Personal data rule: PIPEDA, with provincial rules where they apply. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the provincial colleges framework and the national credential-recognition guidance. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

United States

Language: English, Spanish. Write numbers in USD. Personal data rule: state privacy laws (for example California), and COPPA for children under 13. Skills frame to name in your evidence: state and community-college credit systems. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Singapore

Language: English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil. Write numbers in SGD. Personal data rule: Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Skills frame to name in your evidence: the Singapore national skills frameworks and the national credit system. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Australia

Language: English. Write numbers in AUD. Personal data rule: the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Hong Kong (Eastern Asia)

Language: Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin), English. Write numbers in HKD. Personal data rule: the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Georgia and Israel (Western Asia)

Language: Georgian, Hebrew, Arabic, English. Write numbers in GEL or ILS. Personal data rule: the personal data law of the country where the learner lives. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the national qualifications framework of that country. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Cayman Islands (Caribbean)

Language: English. Write numbers in KYD. Personal data rule: the Data Protection Act. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the local education and training framework. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Mexico

Language: Spanish, English. Write numbers in MXN. Personal data rule: the federal law on personal data held by private parties. Skills frame to name in your evidence: the national competency certification system and the education ministry levels. Consumer rule: local consumer-protection law.

Global

The global version uses plain English, metric units, and your own currency. Machine translation is available in every language; the English text is the official text. Before you act for real, check your local rules with an adviser. Currency: USD (or your own currency, written next to every number).

Draft

Draft flagship. Written in our own words. Not live. Check local rules with an adviser before you act for real.

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