Soaring fuel prices and global overcapacity are forcing the marine industry to rethink conventional power configurations. Ship owners are struggling to turn a profit. The time has come for advanced technologies that can revolutionize the way ships generate and use energy.
The Switch’s permanent magnet (PM) technology has been proven in the harsh environments of the wind industry. Now, we’re making this technology available to marine to offer unmatched power density, energy efficiency, design flexibility and operational reliability.
A synchronous PM machine contains Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are rare-earth materials known for their very high energy density. These deliver excellent performance with corrosion resistance and temperature tolerance. High flux density makes them ideal for variable speed generators and machines.
PM machines offer high-efficiency performance over their entire operating range, significantly cutting back on fuel consumption. Compared with induction machines, PM machines are 2-4% more efficient at full load and 10% more efficient at part loads.
Thanks to the high power density, PM machines can be substantially smaller. This leads to light and flexible solutions that can be configured to fit a ship’s limited space requirements. Plus, PM machines offer high reliability and durability in the most extreme operating conditions.
Along with PM machines, The Switch offers frequency converters based on advanced vector control technology and specifically built to optimize efficiency. The modular, lightweight design offers exceptional thermal management and cooling that is adaptable to requirements.
Rather than recreating the wheel, the marine industry can immediately benefit from the advanced drive train technology that The Switch has provided to other industries, such as wind, to lower the cost of operations.
We’re convinced that the marine industry, too, will start to take note of this game-changing technology to drive profitability again.
Mika Koli, Key Account Manager/Business Development
