Conventional power stations like gas, coal or even nuclear, all use the same kind of technology in the end to produce electricity - a generator. A generator is like an electric motor operating in reverse. Instead of applying electrcity to make it spin, when you spin it, it makes electricity! The difference between types of power station then lie in the method of spinning the generator. Gas fired stations for example combust gas in large jet engines similar to those used on aeroplanes. Coal and nuclear stations produce steam which is expanded through steam turbines which turn the generators. The fossi fuel types of course produce carbon emissions, whilst the nuclear ones radioactive waste.

The means by which wind turbines spin their generators will be obvious - the large rotor blades being driven round under the force of the wind. The blades rotate relatively slowly and so a gearbox inside the turbine increases this up to the required spinning speed for the generator. As the wind blows from different directions, the controls constantly monitor the wind direction and use electric motors to turn the top of the turbine.

There are no emissions from operating wind turbines and as the wind is not used up, wind energy is not only green but renewable.