How does the electricity reach your home?

The electricity that is generated from a wind turbine may have to travel a long distance to reach the place where it is needed, such as your home or school. It leaves the generator on a wire and goes to a transformer to "step up" the voltage for transmission. This high-voltage electrical energy is carried across the country through a national network of transmission lines called the power distribution grid or "grid."

These transmission lines are seen throughout our country and some are also located underground. Before electricity reaches your house, it reaches another transformer where the voltage is "stepped down." This transformer reduces the electricity to 120 volts where it can operate the appliances in your house.

In some cases, energy from a wind turbine does not have to travel far to your home. Anyone can build a wind turbine on his or her property. A building permit may be required in some areas. One wind turbine may be used to power a house or even a small business.