Why don't they build in a gear box, and just shift the gear up in higher winds?,(reply>), +MarkTheRabidCat They have an effective system of furling the blades to change their angle against the wind, which allows them to operate in a wide range of wind speeds.  A gearbox would add inefficiency, maintenance, cost, etc.  It's an engineering compromise.,(reply>), +MarkTheRabidCat They have an effective system of furling the blades to change their angle against the wind, which allows them to operate in a wide range of wind speeds.  A gearbox would add inefficiency, maintenance, cost, etc.  It's an engineering compromise.,(reply>), @MarkTheRabidCat Certain? Wind turbines barely pay for themselves as it is mate ,(reply>), +Ginger Biscuit I am certain that the upgrades would pay themselves off after a few years,(reply>), +MarkTheRabidCat gas is much less expensive than adding huge gearboxes to thousands of wind turbines.