Wind turbines turning in the wind. They are used to generate electricity from the winds that arise from the heating of the Earth by the Sun. Wind turbines are an environmentally-friendly source of energy, as they release no toxic waste products and do not rely on a limited resource for fuel. These are Vestas wind turbines at Cowley Ridge Windplant, Alberta, Canada. The turbines are 3- bladed and are over 40 metres high.