wind farms

[bentaxle]

How do they synchronise frequencies of all those turbines to feed on to the grid system as there must be many variables

[Clanad]

Actually, they operate nearly the same as transport aircraft generators do... the turbine is dirven through a CSD (Constant Speed Drive) which keeps the voltage and frquencies within a tolerable and useable range before entering he grid...

[bentaxle]

Ah thats how its done , Very clever considering all the other generators feeding onto the grid making it accurate enough for all us users
all the best
alan

[jomifl]

Alternators tend to synchronise themselves, if they overspeed the grid draws disproportionately more power from them which slows them down and vice vera when they are too slow.

[Hymie]

Not only can wind farms feed the national grid – but also inverters supplied via solar panels. As you have realized, synchronisation to the mains is critical. Imaging an inverter or wind machine supplying its mains at 50.1Hz – within 1/10 of a second, it will be out of phase with the mains supply, with serious consequences.

These devices have sophisticated control circuits which ensure the output frequency matches (tracks) that of the mains supply. They also have circuitry that can detect the loss of the mains supply – and that they are effectively ‘islanding’ and disconnect (switch off) from the grid.

[bentaxle]

Just seen an artical on the Battersea Power station (Daily Mail)supplement Hymie ,There is a Synchroscope shown used to sychronise the generators output to the grid ,it said the operator would speed the generator up or down until the arrow in the dial was at 12 o'clock position then use one of the two buttons to close cir to the grid ,On the actual meter it said slow and fast ,Unbelievable on the synhroscope panel it just had the the null meter the slow and fast one and a voltmeter plus one other meter and two buttons ,I know your'e right what you say just thought this would be of interest