About wind energy
Today, we can efficiently use energy from the wind to create electricity. This is what we’re referring to when we use the term ‘wind energy’.
A wind farm is a collection of wind turbines that work together to generate electricity. This electricity is then transported into the grid or stored in a large-scale battery for households, businesses and industry consumption.
Wind power is an inexhaustible source of renewable energy that:
- reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- creates jobs
- brings economic benefits to local communities.
It does not emit toxic substances or contaminants or generate waste. Wind energy also has one of the lowest water-consumption footprints.
How wind energy works
Wind energy is kinetic energy.
Wind (or kinetic energy) flows over large wind turbine blades, making them turn. The blades are connected to an internal rotor that spins to create mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then converted into electricity.
Wind energy efficiency
Today, wind energy is one of the most affordable electricity sources.
According to the national science agency CSIRO, wind and solar both cost an average of $112 per megawatt hours (MWh) in 2023, decreasing to $82 per MWh in 2030. It found small modular nuclear reactors averaged $509 per MWh in 2023, decreasing to $282 in 2030.
Wind turbines
A 3.5MW wind turbine can power around 2,100 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 7,100t annually. That’s the equivalent of taking about 2,300 petrol cars off the road.
Design
Both the height and shape of the blades are designed to maximise the wind each turbine harnesses. Each modern turbine converts around 50% of the wind’s kinetic energy into electricity.
Modern wind turbines are designed to be as quiet as possible. The average noise level of a wind turbine is 40–50 decibels at around 500m. That’s quieter than a lawnmower and even a dishwasher.
Making wind turbines tall exposes them to more wind, which increases the amount of electricity they can produce.
They are also designed to withstand high wind speeds and extreme weather events. Wind farm developers will select the most appropriate turbine models rated for the range of expected wind conditions at a project site.
Wind turbines are not powered by back-up diesel, or any other fuel. When the wind stops, turbines can rotate for hours, and continue to produce energy.
Production and carbon emissions
Depending on the make and model, wind turbines are mostly made from steel composite materials like fibreglass or carbon fibre, resin, plastic, iron or cast-iron, copper and aluminium.
Fossil fuels are currently used in the production of wind turbines, mainly when using steel and concrete. Almost all wind turbine emissions are produced during the manufacturing stage.
It’s a common myth that it takes more carbon emissions to manufacture and build a wind turbine than the turbine will save in its lifetime. Multiple studies show the carbon payback period for wind turbines ranges from 5–12 months.
Wind turbines will generate emission-free electricity for all their 20– to 30–year lifespan.
Making turbines in Australia
The supply chains for wind turbines are global and complex, with components and materials manufactured in several countries. Currently there is a small amount of local manufacturing and assembly in Australia. This is expected to increase as the industry develops.
Queensland has introduced initiatives so that many of the parts can be made in Queensland. Current initiatives include the Queensland Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap, developing supply chain capability under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, supporting jobs via the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, among others.
Recycling
If wind farms are decommissioned at the end of their design life, 85–94% of a wind turbine (by mass) can be recycled and repurposed in Australia.
Turbine blades made from epoxy and composite materials such as fibreglass or carbon fibre can be recycled. Fibreglass can be used in the production of a cement kiln, an important material used in everyday construction.
Industries are also repurposing turbine blades as structural elements, including bike sheds, highway noise barriers, ‘glamping pods’ at festival sites, or as parts of civil engineering projects such as pedestrian footbridges.
Wind farms in Queensland
Several onshore wind farms are perched on hilltops across the state, including in the Darling Downs, South West Queensland, Far North Queensland and North Queensland regions, with more on the way.
The Queensland Government has established a consistent state-wide development assessment process for new wind farm proposals. Proposed developments are assessed by the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) within the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works against State Code 23: Wind Farm Development.
Wind farms must be appropriately located, sited, designed and operated. Aviation impacts, environmental impacts, scenic and acoustic amenity, landscape values, and the safe and efficient operation of local transport networks and road infrastructure must be assessed. Construction can only start if and when these criteria are adequately addresses, and development approval is granted.
Wind farm proposals in Queensland may also require assessment under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 if the proposed action will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on one or more matters of national environmental significance.
Onshore wind farms
The space required for an onshore wind farm depends on topography, site conditions, access routes and any network easements. The size of a farm will differ from project to project.
The land between and around turbines can be used for other purposes, including farming and livestock activities. This is because the tip of the turbines sit metres off the ground.
Setback distances, or the distance separating wind farms from neighbouring boundaries, varies from state to state in Australia. Queensland’s setback distance for wind turbines is 1.5km. In Victoria, it’s 1km.
Offshore wind farms
Offshore wind farms are built in oceans or large bodies of water. They work in the same way as onshore wind farms but generate more electricity because winds over water are typically stronger and more constant.
Wind farms are also more effective offshore because they use larger and more powerful turbines.
The Australian Government is working to establish an offshore wind industry.
More information
- Learn about other renewable energy technologies that make up Queensland’s SuperGrid.
- Last updated
- 24 September 2024