Wind energy systems and devices comprise a nacelle, a rotor driven alternator housed in the nacelle, a rotor connected to the alternator, and a load control system in communication with the alternator. The rotor includes a rotor hub and three or more rotor blades, and each blade has a foil shape and is connected to the rotor hub by a full foil attachment mechanism. The alternator is configured to operate at low rpm and to increase rotation speed without a step-up mechanism. The load control system is configured to anticipate changes in wind speed and adjust alternator load such that when wind speed increases the load control system adjusts the alternator load to optimize rotor rpm and optimize tip-speed ratio.