De-synchronized generator using a synchronous turbo-generator and a matrix converter

The aim of this paper concerns high speed synchronous generators driven directly by gas or steam turbines. After reminding problematics and interest of variable speed in high power plants the authors present a brief state of the art about the abilities of classical static inverters to adapt variable frequency to grid ones. Considering the lack of practical solutions, they propose a structure based upon an original use of a matrix converter. Its principle is validated through first experimental results.