4 ms·
This is a gross simplification but hopefully makes sense: Grids using multiple generators use "frequency droop," deliberately governing the generators so that
by i_am_proteus 6y ago
This is a gross simplification but hopefully makes sense:
Grids using multiple generators use "frequency droop," deliberately governing the generators so that as power goes up, frequency goes down. This makes it easier to load-balance between generators connected in parallel.
If one generator were to be "overloaded," its frequency would go down, increasing power output from other generators.
When connecting a new machine, it's frequency is typically slightly higher than the grid; after it is connected it "assumes" some load and its frequency drops to match the grid's frequency.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droop_speed_control https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droop_speed_control
- anamexis 6y agoAnd to simplify even more: Generators are just spinning magnets. When load goes up, magnetic resistance goes up, so given the same input mechanical power, the spinning will slow down.
- xattt 6y agoA coal power plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario used to drive an otherwise decommissioned generator for the sake of having inertial mass to stabilize the frequency of the local supply. I would imagine this is common practice in power generation in general.
- PhantomGremlin 6y agoYes, it is common practice: https://business.directenergy.com/blog/2016/may/reactive-power https://business.directenergy.com/blog/2016/may/reactive-pow... https://openei.org/wiki/Definition:Reactive_Power https://openei.org/wiki/Definition:Reactive_Power
- Johnythree 6y agoYes, it's called a "Synchronous Condenser" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_condenser https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_condenser