Wind Turbines Generators

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The wind turbine generator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. They are a bit unusual as compared to other generating units ordinarily found attached to the electrical grid. One of the reasons is that the generator has to work with a power source which supplies very fluctuating mechanical power.

On large wind turbines of above 100-150 kW the voltage generated by the turbine is around 690 V three-phase alternating current(AC). The current is sent through a transformer next to the wind turbine to raise the voltage to somewhere between 10,000 and 30,000 volts, depending on the standard in the local electrical grid.

Generators need cooling while they work. On most turbines this is accomplished by encapsulating the generator in a duct, using a large fan for air cooling, but a few manufacturers use water cooled generators.

If you connected a large wind turbine generator to the grid by flicking an ordinary switch, you would be quite likely to damage both the generator, the gearbox and the current in the grid in the neighbourhood.

Wind turbines may be designed with either synchronous or asynchronous generators, and with various forms of direct or indirect grid connection of the generator.

Direct grid connection mean that the generator is connected directly to the (usually 3-phase) alternating current grid.