Harnessing the power of the wind

Wind energy can be harnessed by sails to enable a yacht to go faster. Wind energy can also be transformed into electricity for us using wind turbines. Wind speed can affect how efficiently both sailboats and wind turbines work. Wind can be highly variable and the speed of how fast wind is travelling contributes to how fast the Emirates Team New Zealand boat goes. Sailboats or yachts must change direction and sail position to maximise their use of the wind energy available.

This resource explores how kinetic energy from the wind can be harnessed by sails to provide power. Students will design, experiment and test their own wind powered sailboats and record findings. This activity aims to inspire a new generation of scientists, sailors, innovators and engineers.