Power Plant Generators: Regulating Output Voltage

[Idea04]

Do power plant generators regulate the output voltage the same way a car alternator regulates its output voltage. Or do power plant regulators control the output by regulating the rotation speed of the generator.

 

[jim hardy]

Do power plant generators regulate the output voltage the same way a car alternator regulates its output voltage.

yes, exactly same principle - vary the field to control voltage .
Very small plants like windmills may use another method, so above is a generalization but a pretty true one and i think in the spirit of your question.

Or ... by regulating the rotation speed of the generator

Think about it for a minute - if the speed changed so would frequency.

http://allabouthydropowerplants.blogspot.com/2011/09/avr-automatic-voltage-regulator.html


here's a more detailed one from Basler electric but you have to get there via Google.
Basler is a very reputable manufacturer of these things.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...3dioCw&usg=AFQjCNF4vqrlo8O0nvX50KAsXqgBqDcKhQ