What it is
Aeolian energy is the energy that derives from the wind.
Men have used its power since ancient times to navigate or to move windmill blades, to grind cereals, to squeeze olives or pump water. Only in the last few decades wind energy has been used to produce electricity.
The word “Aeolian” comes from Aeolus, the Greek god of wind, whose name “aiolos” means “fast”.
Electric power is obtained by exploiting the kinetic energy of the wind that makes the propeller blades move. These are connected to a generator that transforms mechanic energy (blade rotation) into electric power. These modern windmills are called aerogenerators.
Special reports
-
13 May 2013
Small steps, great footprints
Have you ever wondered how much space is taken up by an apple or a steak?...
18 May 2011
Artificial photosynthesis
The history of science and technology is packed with discoveries and inventions inspired by nature...
-
27 September 2012
Over 7 billion people on Earth
Demographers have estimated that on 31 October 2011 world population...
4 November 2009
Ecological house
At present, it is more and more difficult to assure the comfort standard...
-
17 March 2020
Energy and renewable sources: what is the current status?
The unstoppable growth of renewable sources continues…
23 September 2019
Everything is transformed
At primary school we learn that nothing is created and nothing is destroyed. We have heard this phrase so many…
-
13 May 2013
Small steps, great footprints
Have you ever wondered how much space is taken up by an apple or a steak?...
-
18 May 2011
Artificial photosynthesis
The history of science and technology is packed with discoveries and inventions inspired by nature...
27 September 2012
Over 7 billion people on Earth
Demographers have estimated that on 31 October 2011 world population...
-
4 November 2009
Ecological house
At present, it is more and more difficult to assure the comfort standard...
-
13 May 2013
Small steps, great footprints
Have you ever wondered how much space is taken up by an apple or a steak?...
-
18 May 2011
Artificial photosynthesis
The history of science and technology is packed with discoveries and inventions inspired by nature...
From the Multimedia section
Facts
-
Italian offshore wind farm
The first Italian wind farm will be installed in the waters of the Strait of Otranto...
An artificial geyser
Electric and thermal power produced from geothermal energy depend on the existence of underground infiltrations...
-
A hydrogen house
In Settimo, a municipality close to Turin, the first Unité d’Abitation has been created...
Hydrogen from biomass
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that allows to generate energy in an environmentally sustainable way...
-
The “wave-swallowing” dragon
Wave Dragon, that swallows waves and generates electricity is a plant...
Bio-climatic architecture
Solar energy is playing a vital role with reference to bioclimatic architecture...
The photovoltaic train
In Italy the PVTRAIN project by Trenitalia (co-financed by the European Union) plans...
-
Italian offshore wind farm
The first Italian wind farm will be installed in the waters of the Strait of Otranto...
-
16 May 2011
An artificial geyser
Electric and thermal power produced from geothermal energy depend on the existence of underground infiltrations...
A hydrogen house
In Settimo, a municipality close to Turin, the first Unité d’Abitation has been created...
-
Hydrogen from biomass
Hydrogen is an energy carrier that allows to generate energy in an environmentally sustainable way...
-
Italian offshore wind farm
The first Italian wind farm will be installed in the waters of the Strait of Otranto...
-
16 May 2011
An artificial geyser
Electric and thermal power produced from geothermal energy depend on the existence of underground infiltrations...