Wind Turbines
Wind turbines—like windmills—are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet or more aboveground, they can take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind. Turbines catch the wind's energy with their propeller-like blades. Two or three blades are usually mounted on a shaft to form a rotor.
A blade acts much like an airplane wing. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade. The low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, causing the rotor to turn. This is called lift. The force of the lift is actually much stronger than the wind's force against the front side of the blade, which is called drag. The combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller, and the turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity.
Land-Based Wind Energy
Wind turbines can be used as stand-alone applications; or connected to a utility power grid; or combined with a photovoltaic (solar cell) system. For utility-scale (megawatt-sized) sources of wind energy, a large number of wind turbines are usually built close together to form a wind plant, also referred to as a wind farm. Several electricity providers today use wind plants to supply power to their customers.
Wind Projects
To develop a wind project, developers must obtain legal rights to the land on which the wind turbines will be placed. These rights may be in the form of a purchase of the land; a lease of the land; or easement to use the land.
The process of securing these rights for a wind energy project may begin with an option agreement—an exclusive right to conduct due diligence on the available wind resources, property conditions, and energy market until the developer is ready to move forward with project development.
The most common land agreement for a wind energy project is a lease. Leases allow the developer to spread the payments over the life of the project to minimize upfront costs. And since the wind project facilities occupy only a small portion of the land, landowners can continue existing land uses, while adding an additional revenue source with a wind energy lease.
A utility company (utility) will often require that the utility or the developer own the land where a utility-owned substation will be located. If the project includes construction of a new utility-owned substation, the developer or the utility will usually negotiate a purchase agreement directly with a landowner.
In Illinois, wind turbines are regulated by a combination of state statutes and local ordinances. The Illinois Wind Energy Act provides the framework for the regulation of wind energy facilities, ensuring that they are constructed and operated in a manner that protects the public health, safety, and welfare. The Act also addresses issues such as siting, which includes the location of wind turbines and their proximity to residential areas, and decommissioning, which involves the removal of turbines at the end of their useful life. Local governments in Illinois have the authority to establish more specific regulations regarding the placement and operation of wind turbines, including setback requirements, noise limits, and the impact on wildlife and the environment. Developers of wind projects in Illinois must navigate these regulations by obtaining the necessary permits and approvals, which may involve public hearings and environmental impact assessments. They must also secure legal rights to the land, typically through leases or easements, and may enter into option agreements during the initial project evaluation phase. Utility-scale wind projects may require coordination with utility companies, especially if new substations are to be constructed. Overall, the development of wind energy in Illinois is a collaborative process involving state regulations, local government oversight, and engagement with landowners and the community.
