Wind energy

How it Works

The power drawn from the wind turbine begins with the kinetic energy present in the wind. The wind moves the blades of the windmill, transferring its kinetic energy over to the blades, which then transfers to a shaft just inside the tower that turns when the blades spin. Finally, the shaft turns an electrical generator, which transforms the kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy that we can use!

Want to learn more? Make your own windmill to see firsthand how it works (PDF, 156KB KB) - opens in new window!

What Shell is Doing

Shell is involved in 11 wind operations in the U.S. and Europe. Eight of the eleven projects are in the U.S. in the states of West Virginia, Colorado, Iowa, Texas, California, and Wyoming. Learn more about Shell Wind Operations.

Shell and its partners have 1,100 megawatts of capacity, with Shell's share at 550 MW. Approximately 900 megawatts are in the U.S. Although modern wind power currently makes up less than one percent of the United States’ electricity, 46 states are windy enough to harness for commercial power production in the future.