Connection of small wind-turbines in weak grids

Smaller wind turbines, because of the lower torques and forces involved, are more suitable for the use of synchronous generators than large turbines, even for connection to the power network. A number of designs have been proposed and implemented using elastic elements in the drive train to achieve compliance or reacting the stator of the generator or frame of the gearbox with spring damper elements. At modest ratings, such devices can be made to work quite effectively. Wind turbines using synchronous generators have been proposed with both wound-field and permanent magnet rotors; their advantage being with the wound-field that control of the excitation allows control of the output power factor