A synchronous generator is directly coupled to grid in the novel wind turbine drive train concept based on electromagnetic coupler (WT -EMC). Similarly to conventional power plants, WT -EMC has inherent (inertial) grid frequency support capability, albeit rather limited due to its configuration. Additional power should be generated in response to a grid frequency drop in order to improve the dynamic characteristic of the grid frequency. In this paper, a novel control strategy for WT -EMC to improve the dynamic characteristic of grid frequency is proposed. The principle is to detect active power imbalance in the grid and then rapidly regulate the output power of WT -EMC. Based on the calculated electromagnetic torque of the synchronous generator in WT-EMC- acquired faster than the calculated grid frequency the synchronous generator mechanical torque is controlled to track its electromagnetic torque to stabilize the rotor speed, therefore directly improving the grid frequency. The proposed control strategy effectiveness is firstly tested through simulations and then validated on a specially built experimental platform. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.