Definition
A rotating electric machine whose output frequency and phase are locked to the system frequency (60 Hz in North America) by the magnetic field of the grid itself. Synchronous generators — driven by steam, gas, hydro, or wind turbines — are the dominant source of bulk power and provide essential synchronous inertia, fault current contribution, and reactive power capability. They contrast with inverter-based resources (wind, solar, batteries) that synthesize AC output electronically and do not inherently contribute rotational inertia to the grid.
Topic Deck
Generation Fundamentals
Source
FERC Pro Forma OATT / LGIP
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