The affects of Lenz's Law on Wind Turbines

[babayevdavid]

Hi,

If an electrical generator induces a current that opposes the shifting magnetic field that creates it then why don't the wind turbines on wind farms just stop turning after a while? Is it because they are not directly connected or drawn on by electrical devices?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[berkeman]

Hi,

If an electrical generator induces a current that opposes the shifting magnetic field that creates it then why don't the wind turbines on wind farms just stop turning after a while? Is it because they are not directly connected or drawn on by electrical devices?

Thank you all in advance!

Because of the wind...

 

[babayevdavid]

Sure, but at some point wouldn't the wind not be enough to counteract the effects of the counter electromotive force?

 

[Pengwuino]

Sure, but at some point wouldn't the wind not be enough to counteract the effects of the counter electromotive force?

At some point you will reach equilibrium and the wind will counteract the effect of Lenz's law exactly and the turbine will simply spin at that speed forever (in an ideal world with constant current and wind supplies) .