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So I was reading an ELI5 about how turbines generate electricity and I realized the "geared" part is frequently enough glossed over.We all get that spinning magnets near wires creates electricity, but why the gears? Basically, the turbine blades, whether moved by steam, water, or wind, often spin at a rate that's not optimal for the generator itself to efficiently produce electricity. The gears act like a transmission in a car, allowing the turbine to spin at its best speed for catching wind/steam/water, while the generator spins at its best speed for creating electricity.
Think about a wind turbine. The wind speed constantly changes. Without gears, the generator would have to speed up and slow down constantly, which is inefficient and can damage the system. The gears let the generator maintain a more consistent and efficient rotational speed, even with fluctuating wind. The gears also allow smaller, lighter, and more efficient generators to be used.
are there turbines that don't need gears, and if so, what are the tradeoffs? I imagine direct-drive turbines must be much larger and heavier to handle the lower speed, but maybe thay require less maintenance? Anyone have experience with different types of turbines and how the gear system plays a role in their effectiveness?