How the generator speed is controlled in a windmill, irrespective of wind speed?

Question

The generator has to run at constant speed. How this is achieved when the wind speed is either toolow or too high?

Answer 1

If it is purely wind-powered, then a generator cannot keep running at a constant speed forever. However, a large flywheel can retain enough rotational energy to keep a generator running at a constant level for up to five minutes or so. The windmill would get the flywheel into some rotational speed limit, gearing would keep the output speed more or less constant as the flywheel rotates faster due to higher wind speeds, or slower due to diminished winds. The gearing could be as simple as a basic transmission -- they have these for bicycles and are automatic, changing gears based on speed.

There you go.

Answer 2

On the wind farms around here the blades are computer controlled and the pitch of the blades is variable. That way if the wind is 30 knots or 10 knots the blades are adjusted to maintain the same revolutions.

Answer 3

Hi Modern wind turbines control the pitch of the blades. This would make the shaft speed about equal at different wind speeds.

Answer 4

The pitch of the blades is automatically changed to maintain the correct range of revolutions.

Answer 5

l it is called a governor it can be mechanical or electrical ,by changing the pitch of the blades ,or a braking device a centrifugal brake (mechanical) or a magnetic field brake ( electromagnetic)
















9

Answer 6

With an automatic gearbox, just like it is in a car...