How are wind generators hundreds of miles apart synchronised to feed into the National Grid?

Answer 1

Interesting question. It's easier with other forms of electric power production because the power source can be carefully controlled, allowing the generators to be specifically wound to have optimal performance at 60 Hz output. After bringing them up to speed, switching to the grid then automatically phase locks the speed via reactive feedback from the grid itself. That is, the grid current feedback torques the turbine pack into sync if it starts to wander.

With wind generators, though, the power source is highly variable. I can only guess at two possible solutions. First (the elegant solution) would be to have the turbine blades vary their pitch with wind conditions such that their speed is constant. Increased power is then manifest by increased *torque*. Second, the generators could product DC current, which is then converted to AC of precisely the right frequency using a switching circuit. Power switching at industrial power levels that fast is very expensive, though. Anybody know for sure?

Answer 2

Wind generators are different from other generators. Most generators have to be sync'd to the system. Wind generators are actually a little different from what I am told. Here is what I have been told. They are actually synchronous motors. When you want to start a wind generator you first power it from the grid (with the blades at neutral). When it is up to speed being powered by the grid it is automatically in sync because it was started in sync as a motor. Then they add pitch to the blades and that adds power to the motor but since it is a synchronous motor the result is generation. Other forms of generation need to be synced either manuallly or via automatic controls with the exception of solar which is generated at DC and is synced via a DC/AC converter.

Answer 3

There are many generators of different sizes and with different rotating drives.
Before a generator is put on line its speed is adjusted to be slightly higher than the frequency of the grid, this ensures that when the circuit breaker is engaged a small amount of power is given by the generator as it locks in. Any tendency for the speed to change afterwards causes a feedback current to circulate in the generator in opposition to the generated current which either brakes or accelerates the generator back to the set frequency. A comparative frequency meter, which is just like a one handed clock, gives a visual indication of when the frequencies are in sync and thus when it is safe to throw the circuit breaker.

Answer 4

The grid will have a standard synchronisation and all power stations have to sync up to be put on line if they do not the breakers will not go in. Power at sea is the same, when another alternator is required the engineer aligns the sine waves and then puts in the breaker. Same system for all alternating power generation.

Answer 5

The generator will synchronise with the aid of itself, if it is going too slowly then the skill from the grid will actual flow the incorrect way and be used to velocity the turbines as much as synchronous velocity. If it is going too rapid then the skill will flow from the turbine to the grid and the turbine will sluggish to synchrojnous velocity. this is all to do with how the vehicles and turbines are made and takes a lot to describe

Answer 6

This always puzzled me too as the frequency of generation is apparently proportional to the rotation of the generator. The rotation speed of the generator cannot be controlled that exactly, though you could adjust the blade angle to suit the wind speed.

This web site seems to explain it all. They use special generators to provide power at the correct frequency to sync in with the grid.
http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/wtrb/electric.htm

Answer 7

Same way that nuclear reactors, coal plants, gas fired and oil generator are regulated. Same way as a home generation unit can feed back into the grid.

Answer 8

Briefly...
The power producing units have their output fed to a central control room where the technicians read the power output and its frequency (cycles per second).
When they're 'In Sync' with the production of other units, the technician operates the 'SYNC' control unit to switch it into the grid.
(If sychronisation is attempted before they're in sync, the whole system could go down).