Editing Electric generator (section)

==Common use cases==
===Power station===
{{main|Power station}}
[[File:Greater Cape Town 12.02.2007 16-41-31.2007 16-41-33.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|The [[Athlone Power Station]] in [[Cape Town]], [[South Africa]]]]
[[File:DSCN1028.JPG|right|thumb|upright=1.2|Hydroelectric power station at [[Gabčíkovo Dam]], [[Slovakia]]]][[File:Glen_Canyon_Dam_and_Bridge.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|Hydroelectric power station at [[Glen Canyon Dam]], [[Page, Arizona]]]]

A ''power station'', also known as a ''power plant'' or ''powerhouse'' and sometimes ''generating station'' or ''generating plant'', is an industrial facility that [[Electricity generation|generates]] [[electricity]]. Most power stations contain one or more generators, or spinning machines converting [[mechanical power]] into [[three-phase electrical power]]. The [[relative motion]] between a [[magnetic field]] and a [[Electrical conductor|conductor]] creates an [[electric current]]. The energy source harnessed to turn the generator varies widely. Most power stations in the world burn [[fossil fuel]]s such as [[coal]], [[petroleum|oil]], and [[natural gas]] to generate electricity. Cleaner sources include [[nuclear power]], and increasingly use [[renewable energy|renewables]] such as [[solar power|the sun]], [[wind power|wind]], [[Wave power|waves]] and [[hydroelectricity|running water]].

===Vehicular generators ===
[[File:Mobile electric generator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Mobile electric generator]]

====Roadway vehicles====
{{Main|Alternator (automotive)}}
Motor vehicles require electrical energy to power their instrumentation, keep the engine itself operating, and recharge their batteries. Until about the 1960s motor vehicles tended to use [[dynamo|DC generators (dynamos)]] with electromechanical regulators. Following the historical trend above and for many of the same reasons, these have now been replaced by [[alternator (automotive)|alternator]]s with built-in [[rectifier]] circuits.

====Bicycles====
Bicycles require energy to power running lights and other equipment. There are two common kinds of generator in use on bicycles: [[bottle dynamo]]s which engage the bicycle's tire on an as-needed basis, and [[hub dynamo]]s which are directly attached to the bicycle's drive train. The name is conventional as they are small permanent-magnet alternators, not self-excited DC machines as are [[dynamo]]s. Some [[electric bicycles]] are capable of [[regenerative braking]], where the drive motor is used as a generator to recover some energy during braking.

====Sailboats====
Sailing boats may use a water- or wind-powered generator to trickle-charge the batteries. A small [[propeller]], [[wind turbine]] or [[turbine]] is connected to a low-power generator to supply currents at typical wind or cruising speeds.

====Recreational vehicles====
[[Recreational vehicle]]s need an extra power supply to power their onboard accessories, including air conditioning units, and refrigerators. An RV power plug is connected to the electric generator to obtain a stable power supply.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Markovich |first=Tony |date=2021-09-14 |title=What Your Camper or RV Needs For Living Off-Grid
|url=https://www.thedrive.com/cars-101/38427/how-to-prepare-rv-for-off-grid |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=}}</ref>

====Electric scooters====
[[Electric scooters]] with regenerative braking have become popular all over the world. Engineers use [[kinetic energy]] recovery systems on the scooter to reduce energy consumption and increase its range up to 40-60% by simply recovering energy using the magnetic brake, which generates [[electric energy]] for further use. Modern vehicles reach speed up to 25–30&nbsp;km/h and can run up to 35–40&nbsp;km.

===Genset===
{{main|Engine-generator}}
An ''engine-generator'' is the combination of an electrical generator and an [[engine]] ([[wikt:prime mover|prime mover]]) mounted together to form a single piece of self-contained equipment. The engines used are usually piston engines, but gas turbines can also be used, and there are even hybrid diesel-gas units, called dual-fuel units. Many different versions of engine-generators are available – ranging from very small portable [[petrol]] powered sets to large turbine installations. The primary advantage of engine-generators is the ability to independently supply electricity, allowing the units to serve as backup power sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpowerproducts.com/blog/hurricane-preparedness-protection-provided-by-power-generators |title=Hurricane Preparedness: Protection Provided by Power Generators &#124; Power On with Mark Lum |publisher=Wpowerproducts.com |date=10 May 2011 |access-date=2012-08-24}}</ref>

===Human powered electrical generators===
{{main|Self-powered equipment}}
A generator can also be driven by human [[muscle]] power (for instance, in field radio station equipment).

[[File:Day 47 Occupy Wall Street November 2 2011 Shankbone 15.JPG|thumb|Protesters at [[Occupy Wall Street]] using bicycles connected to a motor and one-way diode to charge batteries for their electronics<ref>[http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/with-generators-gone-wall-street-protesters-try-bicycle-power/ With Generators Gone, Wall Street Protesters Try Bicycle Power], Colin Moynihan, ''New York Times'', 30 October 2011; accessed 2 November 2011.</ref>]]
Human powered electric generators are commercially available, and have been the project of some [[DIY]] enthusiasts. Typically operated by means of pedal power, a converted bicycle trainer, or a foot pump, such generators can be practically used to charge batteries, and in some cases are designed with an integral inverter. An average "healthy human" can produce a steady 75 watts (0.1 horsepower) for a full eight hour period, while a "first class athlete" can produce approximately 298 watts (0.4 horsepower) for a similar period, at the end of which an undetermined period of rest and recovery will be required. At 298 watts, the average "healthy human" becomes exhausted within 10 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ohio.edu/mechanical/programming/hpv/hpv.html |title=Program: hpv (updated 6/22/11) |publisher=Ohio.edu |access-date=2012-08-24 |archive-date=2016-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073502/https://www.ohio.edu/mechanical/programming/hpv/hpv.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> The net electrical power that can be produced will be less, due to the efficiency of the generator. Portable radio receivers with a crank are made to reduce battery purchase requirements, see [[clockwork radio]]. During the mid 20th century, pedal powered radios were used throughout the [[Australian outback]], to provide schooling ([[School of the Air]]), medical and other needs in remote stations and towns.

===Mechanical measurement===
A tachogenerator is an electromechanical device which produces an output voltage proportional to its shaft speed. It may be used for a speed indicator or in a feedback speed control system. Tachogenerators are frequently used to power [[tachometer]]s to measure the speeds of electric motors, engines, and the equipment they power. Generators generate voltage roughly proportional to shaft speed. With precise construction and design, generators can be built to produce very precise voltages for certain ranges of shaft speeds.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}