Wind is one source of energy that is prevalent in most areas of the world. Because of this fact harnessing wind energy makes sense in many cities where pollution is already a factor. Like solar power, power production from wind is an alternative to coal, oil, and nuclear sources due to the following:

• It is a renewable and infinite resource.
• It is free of any emissions, including carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas).
• It is a free resource after capital cost of installation (excluding maintenance).
• Energy production with wind power prevents significant water usage associated with coal, nuclear, and combined cycle sources.

In reality, wind energy is a converted form of solar energy. The sun's radiation heats different parts of the earth at different rates — most notably during the day and night, but also when different surfaces (for example, water and land) absorb or reflect at different rates. This in turn causes portions of the atmosphere to warm differently. Hot air rises, reducing the atmospheric pressure at the earth's surface, and cooler air is drawn in to replace it. The result is wind.

Air has mass, and when it is in motion, it contains the energy of that motion — "kinetic energy." Some portion of that energy can converted into other forms — mechanical force or electricity — that we can use to perform work.

The ability to generate electricity is measured in watts. Watts are very small units, so the terms kilowatt (kW, 1,000 watts), megawatt (MW, 1 million watts), and gigawatt (pronounced "jig-a-watt," GW, 1 billion watts) are most commonly used to describe the capacity of generating units like wind turbines or other power plants.

The output of a wind turbine depends on the turbine's size and the wind's speed through the rotor. Wind turbines being manufactured now have power ratings ranging from 250 watts to several megawatts (MW).

Wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.

The way a wind turbine makes electricity works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity.

In August 2004, the Palmdale Water District held their dedication ceremony of the 950 kW (kilowatt) wind turbine located on the site of the Palmdale Water District's water treatment plant. The system was constructed by Dressel Enterprises utilizing a NEG Micon NM54/950 Turbine. The purpose behind the wind turbine construction was to eliminate most of the need for grid electricity even though the plant would remain connected. Eventually the system is expected to decrease environmental impact and dependency on power from Southern California Edison. To assist the District in meeting this goal we have contracted with Oak Creek Energy Systems of Mojave, CA to monitor the performance of the wind turbine.

At the time of completion the District's wind turbine was the largest wind energy net metering project in the United States. The project was also the most cost effective ever to qualify for California's Self Generation Incentive Program.

There are two basic designs of wind electric turbines: vertical-axis, or "egg-beater" style, and horizontal-axis (propeller-style) machines. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are most common today, constituting nearly all of the "utility-scale" (100 kilowatts, kW, capacity and larger) turbines in the global market.

• The wind turbine incorporates data acquisition system that monitors several operating parameters of the system including:
   - Current power output in kW
   - Air temperature and wind speed
   - Total energy production by the system

• Data from the data acquisition system will be used to produce the daily, monthly and yearly graphs for the website in the near future.