Abstract: A wind energy system includes a vertical-axis turbine and a compressor driven by the turbine. The turbine includes blades supported on a central rotor by respective support arms having an airfoil shape so as to generate a load on the rotor in an axial direction so as to affect the performance of the compressor. The compressor rotor and the turbine rotor can be integrally coupled with one another for rotation together about a common vertical axis to minimize drive transmission losses. A primary and a secondary compressed air driven generators generate respective primary and secondary electricity from a common source of compressed air. The primary generator is controlled by an electrical controller which is powered by the secondary electricity.