vertical-axis wind turbine![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Wind turbine whose axis is perpendicular to the wind.
base ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Structure that supports the wind turbine’s rotor and houses the equipment used to produce electricity (including the gearbox and the alternator).
central column ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Vertical cylindrical part to which the blades are attached; the force of the wind on the blades causes it to rotate.
strut ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Horizontal piece that connects the blades to the central column to strengthen them.
aerodynamic brake ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Emergency braking system; it consists of shutters attached to the blades, which automatically deploy when the wind turbine gathers too much speed.
guy wire ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Cable that connects the top of the vertical axis to a concrete base to hold the wind turbine in an upright position.
rotor ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Rotating part of the wind turbine that is usually made up of two or three blades; its rotation drives the alternator to produce electricity.
blade ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Aerodynamic part that is attached to the central column; the force of the wind turns it to drive the rotor.