This is an interesting thread, Wrenches~ May I suggest looking through the opposite end of the telescope? I hasten to add that I have not had suitable clients to try this suggestion, but:
Instead of using a "synchronous wound" generator (to which grid tie inverters >might< sync), consider using battery based inverters to establish the AC parameters, then match in an engine generator which is intended for grid tie. Grid-tie engine generators tend to be found in the "combined heat and power" world which includes jolly features such as heat reclamation and long life engines. The Marathon Ecopower is worth a look and also the Freewatt system from ECR...and maybe there are others these days as I haven't checked up on this for years now. Scaling these "cogeneration" machines down to modest residential size wattages has been a major hangup, it seems. One would need a good way to protect the battery from overcharge, as this is "AC Coupling" with various Murphy possibilities. The only other obstacle would be political. One would need to convince the "grid tie" generator guys to allow use of their machine in a "synthetic grid" installation. They may be busy enough without having to think about AC coupling into a battery based inverter system. Intrepid researchers are encouraged to report back so we can all learn. Jolliness, Mick Abraham, Proprietor www.abrahamsolar.com Voice: 970-731-4675
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