We are working on a generator design, of which the focus has been on the mechanical side. Though I'm originally an EE, power engineering definitely is not my area. Here's the basic setup.
The driving force is wave driven, and therefore variable in amplitude and period. Suppose it varies from 15 rpm to 3 rpm. It's geared up to some number, say 500-1000rpm. Suppose it's not advantageous to maintain a constant rpm mechanically. The question is how to get 250kv DC out of the system.
Suppose a sample (DC) generator gives off 600V at 22A. This could scale up by a factor of 10.
In order to get the voltage up, I can see two ways: a voltage multiplier, in which some kind of switching distributes the load to many different capactors in series, an the whole chain is then drained off, or an inverter where again manual switching is used to create AC, fed into a stepup transformer, which is then rectified at the end.
I assume, because we have read about undersea transmission of DC at 250kv, that there is a practical method for rectifying AC to DC at that rarified voltage.
An alternative is to try an AC generator, but I have always read they require a stable frequency, which is something that environmental generators would have trouble providing. Bear in mind that it does not matter if the frequency is not exactly 60Hz, or if the sinusoid doesn't line up with the grid, since it has to be rectified to DC to send out on the transmission line.
The question is, what technique is likely to be most efficient to step up voltage? For the purpose of the overview, you may consider our current test generator, capable of 600V at 22A say, or scale it up by a factor of 10, or an AC generator. The sole criteria is how to best get DC output. Since this would be a field of generators, you can use that to smooth the energy output. Batteries are unlikely to be of use.
I will follow up with further 500 point questions, as this is obviously not a simple question. Even this one is a hard one, but the specifics will clearly be separate questions in their own rite.
