Method and apparatus for controlling torque in a wind turbine generator

A method, comprising:

• operating a wind turbine, comprising:
• a tower which supports a nacelle, wherein the nacelle supports a rotor assembly comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades;
• an electrical generator located in the nacelle, wherein the electrical generator is configured to be driven by the rotor assembly;
• a rectifier electrically connected to the generator;
• and
• a plurality of electrolysis cells arranged in one or more stacks, wherein each electrolysis cell comprises a pair of electrodes, and wherein each stack of electrolysis cells comprises at a plurality of electrical connectors each of which is in electrical contact with an electrode of an electrolysis cell,
• wherein the electrical connectors are electrically connectable to the rectifier by a network of selectively operable electrical conductors which are configured so that some or all of the electrolysis cells are operable in dependence on the operative condition of the selectively operable electrical conductors;
• determining an output characteristic of the generator;
• and
• controlling the operation of the selectively operable electrical conductors in dependence on the determined generator output characteristic in order to operate some or all of the electrolysis cells.

A wind turbine comprising:

• a tower which supports a nacelle, wherein the nacelle supports a rotor assembly comprising a rotor hub and a plurality of rotor blades;
• an electrical generator located in the nacelle, wherein the electrical generator is configured to be driven by the rotor assembly;
• a rectifier electrically connected to the generator;
• and
• a plurality of electrolysis cells arranged in one or more stacks, wherein each electrolysis cell comprises a pair of electrodes, and wherein each stack of electrolysis cells comprises at a plurality of electrical connectors each of which is in electrical contact with an electrode of an electrolysis cell,
• wherein the electrical connectors are electrically connectable to the rectifier by a network of selectively operable electrical conductors which are configured so that some or all of the electrolysis cells are operable in dependence on the operative condition of the selectively operable electrical conductors,
• wherein the electrical connectors of at least a first stack of electrolysis cells are configured so that electrical current may enter the stack at a plurality of locations,
• wherein the electrical connectors of at least a second stack of electrolysis cells are configured so that electrical current may exit the stack at a plurality of locations.