1.

Generator

All grid-connected wind turbines drive three phase alternating current (AC) generator to
convert mechanical to electrical power. Generators are divided into main classes. A
synchronous generator operates at exactly the same frequency as the network to which it is
connected; operates at slightly higher frequency than the network; asynchronous generators
are often called induction generator.

Induction generators and synchronous generators each have a non-rolating part called the
stator. The stators are similar for the two types of generator. Both types of stator are
connected to the network and both consist of a three phase winding on a laminated iron core;
they produce a magnetic filed rolating at a constant speed. But though the generators have
similar stators, their rotors are quite different. In a synchronous generator the rotor has a
winding through which there passes a direct current; this is the field winding. The field
winding creates a constant magnetic field which looks into the rotating field created by the
stator winding.

2. Braking System

The power in the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed and very considerable
force are generated in high winds. It seems obvious that effective braking systems are
essential for the safe operation of wind turbines. There are usually at least two independent
syste, each capable of bringing the wind turbine to a safe condition in the event of high
winds, loss of connection to the network or other emergencies.

With a pitch-regulated rotor, rolating the blades to a zero or negative angle of attack will
cause the rotor to slow. This option is not available on a stall-regulated rotor, so some stall-
regulated blades have tip brake devices to stop the rotor. Early wind turbines used
independent centrifugally acting tip brakes but a common control system is now more usual.

To bring the rotor to a complete stop, mechanical brakes are fitted to the main transmission
shafts. It may be desirable to fit a brake to the low speed shaft, so its operation does not
depend on the integrity of the gearbox.

3. Yaw System

A horizontal-axis wind turbine has a yaw system that turns the nacelle according to the actual
wind direction, using a rotary actuator enganging on gear ring at the top of the tower. The
wind direction must be perpendicular to the swept rotor area during normal operation of the
turbine. A slow closed-loop control system is used to control the yaw drives. A wind vane,
usually mounted on the top of the nacelle, senses the relative wind direction and the wind
turbine controller then operates the yaw drives.

In some designs the nacelle is yawed to reduce power in high winds, and in extreme
conditions the machine can be stopped with the nacelle turned so the rotor axis is at right
angles to the wind direction. Although apparently simple, the yaw system has proved one of
the more difficult parts of a wind turbine to design. Prediction of yaw loads remains
uncertain, especially in turbulent wind conditions.

4. Tower

The most common types of the tower are the lattice or tubular types constructed from steel or
concrete, smaller, cheaper towers may be supported by guy wires. Most modern medium-
sized and large wind turbines have tubular towers, which allow access from inside the tower
to nacelle during bad weather conditions. The tower must be designed to withstand wind
loads and gravity loads. The nacelle is placed on the top of the tower, and the yaw system
allows the nacelle to turn into the wind direction. The tower has to be mounted to a strong
foundation in the ground and is designed so that either its resonant frequencies do not
coincide with induced frequencies from the rotor or they can be damped out.

A stiff tower is one whose natural frequency lies above the blade passing frequency; the
opposite is true for a soft tower. Soft towers are lighter and cheaper but they allow more
movement and suffer higher stresses. As the natural frequency of a soft tower is below the
blade passing frequency, a transient resonance will be excited each time the turbine is run up
to speed. Although this transient resonance generates some movement of the nacelle, it has a
short duration and does not cause any difficulty.