Wind energy has been used for a long time. Windmills were used to harness the power of the wind before electricity was available. Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy in the wind, converting it into electrical energy. There is tremendous potential in areas with steady wind like the Midwest, to generate electricity on a large scale. Wind energy has been the fastest growing energy technology worldwide, achieving an annual growth rate of over 30 percent. More efficient turbines and incentives to use more renewable forms of energy that have fewer environmental impacts, has created a strong market for wind power.

Additional Resources
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/wind_energy.html