Wind Energy: Definition, Production Processes and Applications

1. Introduction

Wind energy stands out among renewable energy sources worldwide today due to its environmentally friendly nature, sustainability and increasingly lower costs. This article provides a detailed examination of the definition of wind energy, its historical development, physical principles, electricity generation processes, wind turbine components, onshore and offshore applications, areas of use, environmental and economic impacts, advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the current status and future potential of wind energy in Turkey and worldwide are evaluated. At the same time, the nuclear energy production of some countries is compared with their wind energy production.

The growing world population, industrialisation and technological developments are rapidly increasing energy demand worldwide. The limited availability of fossil fuels and their increasingly apparent environmental impacts have led countries to turn to renewable energy sources. Wind energy, along with solar and hydroelectric power, is one of the most widely used renewable energy sources. Being a clean, sustainable and domestic resource places wind energy at the centre of today's energy policies.

2. Definition of Wind Energy

Wind energy is a type of energy produced by converting the kinetic energy obtained from the movement of air masses in the atmosphere into mechanical and then electrical energy. Wind is formed as a result of the sun heating the earth's surface unevenly. Therefore, the fundamental source of wind energy is indirectly heated air, i.e., the sun.

3. Historical Development of Wind Energy

The use of wind energy dates back thousands of years. In ancient times, sailing ships were propelled by wind power, while in the Middle Ages, windmills were used for purposes such as grinding grain and pumping water.

According to historical sources, the first windmill was seen in Seistan, on the Iran-Afghanistan border, dating back to 644 AD. Subsequently, between 750 and 850 AD, they were used in China to irrigate rice fields. In later years, windmills that emerged in the East were developed in the West and these mills were placed in a horizontal axis position. The first horizontal-axis windmill in history was built in the late 12th century during the Kingdom of Normandy. Tower-type windmills were built extensively in the Mediterranean region. In later years, wind power was also generated by Danish Professor Paul la Cour in 1891 using windmills. In the modern sense, electricity production from wind energy began in the late 19th century and gained momentum after the oil crises of the 1970s.

4. Formation of Wind and Physical Fundamentals

Wind is an air movement from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. The Earth's rotation, landforms, sea–land temperature differences, and atmospheric events affect wind speed and direction. The power that can be obtained from wind energy is directly proportional to the cube of the wind speed; therefore, wind speed is a critical parameter in energy production.

5. How is Wind Energy Produced?

Electricity is generated from wind energy using wind turbines. The wind turns the turbine blades; this rotational movement is transmitted to the generator via a shaft. The generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electricity generated is transferred to transmission lines after the voltage level is increased at transformer stations.

6. Basic Components of Wind Turbines

Wind turbines consist of many technical components:

• Blades: Capture the wind and create rotational movement.

• Rotor: The rotating part to which the blades are attached.

• Nacelle (Gondola): Houses the generator, gearbox and control systems.

• Tower: Lifts the turbine to a high point to harness stronger winds.

• Generator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

7. Onshore Wind Power Plants

Onshore wind farms are typically located in coastal areas, open fields, and mountainous regions. Installation costs are lower than for offshore power stations. Maintenance and operation processes are easier. However, factors such as proximity to residential areas, noise and visual impact must be taken into account in planning.

8. Offshore Wind Power Plants

Offshore wind power plants are installed in open seas and benefit from stronger, more consistent winds. Their energy production capacity is quite high. However, installation and maintenance costs are high and require advanced engineering solutions.

9. Areas of Application for Wind Energy

Under ideal conditions, a large wind turbine can generate approximately 1.8 MW of electrical energy, enough to power 600 homes. Wind energy is used in many areas, primarily for electricity generation:

• Grid-connected electricity generation

• Independent energy systems in rural areas

• Water pumping and agricultural irrigation

• Hydrogen production and energy storage systems

10. Environmental Impacts of Wind Energy

Wind energy has very low carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. It does not cause air pollution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, environmental factors such as bird migration routes, noise and visual impacts must be carefully assessed.

11. The Economic Dimension of Wind Energy

Although wind energy investments have high initial installation costs, their operating costs are low. They provide long-term economic benefits, reduce energy imports and create jobs. With technological advances, unit energy costs are continuously decreasing.

12. Advantages of Wind Energy

• It is a renewable and sustainable source

• It has low carbon emissions

• There are no fuel costs

• It increases energy supply security

13. Disadvantages of Wind Energy

• It depends on the continuity of the wind

• The initial investment cost is high

• It can create noise and visual pollution

• Requires energy storage

14. Wind Energy in Turkey

Turkey has significant wind energy potential due to its geographical location. The Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean regions are particularly suitable for wind energy. In recent years, investments in wind farms have increased rapidly in these regions.

Wind Energy Production in Turkey (2024 Data)

Installed Capacity

• By the end of 2024, Turkey's total installed wind energy capacity will reach approximately 13,792.50 MW (approximately 14 GW).

• This value represents a significant portion of Turkey's total installed electricity capacity, with wind energy accounting for approximately 11–11.3 per cent of the country's electricity production.

Annual Electricity Production

• In 2024, an average of 11.34 per cent of the electricity produced came from wind energy.

• Combined, wind and solar energy have reached a production capacity that surpasses Turkey's electricity production from domestic coal.

Wind Energy Potential and Regional Distribution in Turkey

The main regions in Turkey in terms of wind energy production and installed capacity are as follows:

Marmara Region

• The Marmara Region accounts for the largest share of installed wind energy capacity in Turkey; approximately more than 40% of the total installed capacity is located in this region.

• Provinces such as Tekirdağ, Kırklareli and Edirne have particularly high wind energy capacity.

Aegean Region

• This is the region with the second highest installed capacity after Marmara.

• Many wind farms operate in provinces with high wind speeds, particularly İzmir, Balıkesir and Çanakkale.

Mediterranean and Central Anatolia

• Wind energy production exists in centres such as Antalya in the Mediterranean Region, but it is not as intensive as in Marmara and Aegean.

• There are wind farms in Central Anatolia (e.g. Afyonkarahisar, Kırşehir), but their total share of production is lower.

Other Regions

• Although lower, there is wind energy potential in the Black Sea Region.

• Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia are among the regions with more limited wind energy investments.

Provinces with the Highest Installed Capacity

According to TÜREB (Turkish Wind Energy Association) data, the leading provinces are:

Rank Province Approximate Installed Capacity (MW)

1 Izmir ~1,980 MW

2 Balıkesir ~1,480 MW

3 Çanakkale ~1,235 MW

4 Istanbul ~998 MW

5 Manisa ~753 MW

These provinces are the main centres of wind energy production in Turkey.

15. Global Wind Energy Production and Total Installed Capacity

By the end of 2024, the total installed capacity of wind energy worldwide is expected to reach approximately 1,132.8 GW (gigawatts). The vast majority of this capacity is generated from onshore wind.

???? According to estimates by various institutions, statistics show that it has reached a total of 1,173 GW.

???? This installed capacity plays an important role in the electricity production structure of many countries.

Installed Wind Energy Capacity by Country (2024)

The table below shows the leading countries in terms of installed wind energy capacity in 2024 (MW = megawatt):

Rank Country Installed Wind Power (MW)

1 China ~521,746 MW (≈ 522 GW)

2 United States ~153,152 MW (≈ 153 GW)

3 Germany ~72,823 MW

4 India ~48,163 MW

5 Brazil ~32,959 MW

6 Spain ~31,811 MW

7 UK ~30,902 MW

8 France ~24,592 MW

9 Canada ~18,376 MW

10 Sweden ~17,239 MW

… Turkey ~12,973 MW

… Italy ~12,992 MW

… Netherlands ~11,679 MW

… Poland ~10,059 MW

China is the clear leader in both total installed capacity and new additions.

The Share of Wind Energy in Global Electricity Production

???? Wind energy accounts for approximately 10–12% of global electricity production. This proportion is increasing every year.

???? In some countries, the share of wind energy in electricity production is much higher:

Denmark: generates more than ~50% of its electricity from wind. In this context, Denmark also attaches great importance to hydrogen technologies. Converting surplus electricity into green hydrogen plays a critical role in both energy storage and supporting the industrial sector with carbon-free energy. With the ‘Energy Island’ project planned for the North Sea coast, Denmark aims to integrate hydrogen production from renewable energy and make this technology exportable. These projects enhance the country's claim to leadership not only in energy production but also in innovative approaches to energy production.

Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Uruguay: Wind's share has reached approximately 30% or more.

Countries with High Wind Energy Production Worldwide

???? Worldwide, wind energy contributes around 10% to total electricity production.

Countries of the World: Nuclear Energy and Wind Energy Comparison (Approximate Data for 2023–2024)

Units:

Electricity production: TWh/year

Nuclear energy is a prominent primary energy source, particularly in countries such as France, the United States, South Korea, and Russia.

Wind energy has reached very high percentages of total electricity production in countries such as Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

China has high production in both nuclear and wind energy and is one of the rare large economies where wind energy surpasses nuclear.

Although Turkey does not yet have nuclear electricity production (as of 2025), it is among the rapidly growing countries in wind energy. There are ongoing nuclear power plant projects in Turkey.

General Assessment

• Turkey's wind energy capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, and this growth has made a significant contribution to energy production.

• While the Marmara and Aegean regions have the highest potential for wind energy, there are also opportunities in other regions, although their share of production is lower.

16. Wind Energy Worldwide and Future Prospects

Worldwide wind energy capacity is increasing every year. Europe, China and the USA are leaders in this field. In the future, the share of wind energy is expected to increase further with the proliferation of offshore power plants, energy storage technologies, and smart grids.

References

This article was prepared based on the Internet, Chat Gpt, renewable energy literature, and general engineering knowledge.