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Ani-Luo
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 63

Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

05/07/2009 2:03 AM

Hello, folks,

As there are different 3 phases grid in the USA, I want to know how to connect the wind turbines with the phases?

should we choose 3 wires or 4 wires? and which voltage and grid system should be chosen?

It is top urgent!

Appreciate your earliest reply!

Thank you!

Ani-Luo
Also posted in: also posted in Sustainable Engineering
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PWSlack
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United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

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Location: In the bothy, 7 chains down the line from Dodman's Lane level crossing, in the nation formerly known as Great Britain. Kettle's on.
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#1

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 3:01 AM

<...It is top urgent!...>

Engineering isn't about "urgent".

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Ani-Luo
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 63
#2
In reply to #1

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 3:04 AM

Sorry!

But who can do me a favor?

Thank you!

Ani-Luo
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PWSlack
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United Kingdom - Member - Indeterminate Engineering Fields - Control Engineering - New Member

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 3:26 AM

<...But who can do me a favor?...>

The customer: follow the customer's specification.

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Anonymous Poster
#9
In reply to #3

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/08/2009 7:34 AM

Don't like them either, huh? Pushy...
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edignan
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Engineering Fields - Systems Engineering - New Member Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member

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#4

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 8:41 AM

As (I am guessing) the manufacturer of wind turbine, the first question would be Are you building a small (homeowner) or large (electric utility) size turbine?

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jack of all trades
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New Zealand - Member - Kiwi Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member Engineering Fields - Power Engineering - New Member Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member

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Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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#5
In reply to #4

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 5:11 PM

From Ani-Luo's user profile website, 0.5-20kW with single phase generators.

http://www.chinahummer.cn/eng/

So he is looking for, say 3ph (three phase) Delta winding generators suitable for US 3ph 208V and 3ph 480V 60Hz systems. Toys from my point of view (although I only play with the multi-MW turbine 33kV generation stuff).

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Ani-Luo
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 63
#6
In reply to #5

Re: on-grid wind turbine connection to the grid in USA

05/07/2009 8:24 PM

Hi，

Thank you for the help from all of you!

Quite appreciated!

B/Rgds.

Ani-Luo
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jmueller
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Eastern Kansas USA
Posts: 1503
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#7

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

05/07/2009 11:33 PM

This one is double-posted. Check the comments on the earlier thread.

--JMM
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Ani-Luo
Commentator

Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 63
#8
In reply to #7

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

05/08/2009 12:01 AM

Noted and thank you!

The reason that i double-posted it is I wanna have more people from different places know it and give me more good answers.

And now i do have got good answers from you and other CR4 friends

Your hard work is muuuuuuuuch appeciated!

Rgds.

Ani-uo
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Anonymous Poster
#10
In reply to #8

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

05/08/2009 7:37 AM

I bet it is. Look at the booming Chinese economy built on other people's answers...
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GRAY HAIRED OLD GOAT
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Location: US - TEXAS
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#11

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

05/08/2009 7:49 AM

I have read both threads. and I think your trying to ask the right question with the wrong words.

Think of the grid as a parallel system. If you are adding power onto the grid all you have to do is to add it at the proper location. If you are creating 3 phase 208v power you need to tie into the grid at a 3 phase 208v point, as it travels back into the grid the transformers will correct the voltage.

Also you do not need the 4'th wire when creating 3 phase power to pump back into a grid unless you need a neutral for some sort of distribution.

If you are asking what is the most common voltage in the US, I don't think there is any one study that shows that. Some would probably say 120/240v single phase since that is what is used to supply most residential facilities. I would tend to lean the other way and say 215 KVA since that is the most common distribution voltage.

Most wind generators create electrical power in DC Voltage and add a Inverter to match the voltage the are connecting to. If you are trying to add to the grid direct I would caution you to find out how to synchronize your phasing rather than worry about what voltage to use. Since you can convert it to any voltage with the use of transformers and phase converters.

I can also see that by the questions you are asking that you experience with electrical design is at best lacking, and you are trying to ask a simple question and hoping for a simple answer. What you are seeing is that is is not simple to answer. I suggest you get in contact with an electrical engineer in your area if you need to work this problem out correctly.
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Georgia Adobe
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 126
Good Answers: 15
#12
In reply to #11

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

06/23/2009 12:01 PM

A Good for them !
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Anonymous Poster
#13
In reply to #11

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

11/23/2009 6:33 PM

If I have a 1.5kW wind turbine in a residential building that outputs 3phase AC power. --> passes through a rectifier --> then to the inverter that outputs 3 phase AC power, 60Hz. I believe the inverter synchronizes the phases to the grid automatically - how do i make the 'physical' connection to the grid?

Would it be just a Grid Connector ( http://www.palaydisplay.com/Grid-Connectors-p-1-c-40.html ) for each of the 3 phases?

This might be an obvious question, but i'll ask anyway: Do I need to request the power utility company to shut down the lines in order to connect the turbine?

I'm located in Illinois, not China :P

Thank you!

- Eric
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Anonymous Poster
#14
In reply to #13

Re: Connecting Wind Turbines to the Grid

11/23/2009 6:40 PM

Also, i forgot to mention: The inverter has the following output options for a connection the grid

208V, 3phase, delta connection

240V, split phase

277V, 3 phase, Y connection.

mmmm does this setting depend on the residential location? or is there any standard voltage for residential distribution lines?

Thanks again,

- Eric
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14 comments

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Users who posted comments:

Ani-Luo (3); Anonymous Poster (4); edignan (1); Georgia Adobe (1); GRAY HAIRED OLD GOAT (1); jack of all trades (1); jmueller (1); PWSlack (2)

Previous in Forum: Three-Phase Voltage Connections and the U.S. Electrical Grid   Next in Forum: 440V 3Ph without neutral transform to 220V AC Single phase.
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