Britannica AI Icon

horizontal-axis wind turbine

technology
Also known as: HAWT

Quick Summary

A horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) is a device that converts the kinetic energy of wind into electricity. It features a rotor with blades that spin and drive a generator. While older "windmills" were used for mechanical tasks like milling or pumping water, modern HAWTs are primarily for electricity generation.

HAWTs are the most common type, often resembling aircraft propellers with two or three long blades. They are designed for efficiency in electricity production and are frequently grouped into wind farms. The amount of power generated is influenced by factors like blade design, rotor size, and wind speed, with a theoretical maximum efficiency of about 59% according to Betz's Law.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.