Pioneering permanent magnet technology for wind

We challenged the wind industry by making permanent magnet generators (PMGs) and full-power converters the preferred technology for wind turbines. Now, nearly all new large-power wind turbine designs have permanent magnet and full-power converter drive trains.

Today, we optimize and tailor-make medium-speed PMGs especially for selected OEMS.

Permanent magnet generators – maximized energy yields

Permanent magnet generators (PMGs) increase annual energy production (AEP), minimize total life cycle costs (TCLs) and fulfill the strictest grid code requirements. Together with a full-power converter, they enable high reliability, better overall efficiency and the ultimate future-proof grid code compliance.

Permanent magnet generators are widely adopted by the wind power industry. Because there are no wearing parts, PMGs ensure low failure rates and require less maintenance. The use of permanent magnets requires no external power source to initiate a magnetic field. This reduces costs, simplifies the structure and improves system efficiency.

As a pioneer, we challenged the wind industry first by making PMGs the preferred technology for offshore wind turbines and then making them commercially available to onshore turbines.

References

Danish wind turbine manufacturer

A Danish turbine manufacturer chose our medium-speed PMG for its 8 MW flagship. The first turbine prototypes has been installed at the start of 2014.

Goldwind, China
 

The Switch has supplied over 6,000 liquid-cooled FPCs for Goldwind’s 1.5 MW wind turbines.

ScanWind, Norway

The Switch has provided ScanWind with third-generation drive train packages that combine a 4.25 MW PMG and FPC for use in offshore wind turbine development efforts.

Dongfang, China

The Switch has provided Dongfang with a second-generation drive train package that combines a 1.5 MW direct-drive, outer rotor permanent magnet generator with a full-power converter.

PROKON, Germany

Germany-based PROKON placed another order for 100 direct-drive 3 MW PMG and FPC packages in autumn 2013.

GARUDA, India

Garuda Vaayu Shakthi Limited chose The Switch to be the supplier for 2 high-speed 700 kW PMG and FPC packages, which were commissioned in 2011 in India.

Doosan, South Korea

Doosan of Korea has been an important customer since 2009 for the 3 MW class, high-speed PMG product family from The Switch.

ATB Riva Calzoni SpA, Italy

Two sets of high-speed 500 kW drive train prototypes from The Switch were installed in Italy by ATB Riva Calzoni SpA.

Chongqing Haizhuang Windpower Equipment, China

Our first high-speed 5 MW drive train packages were installed in 2013 and are successfully operating for Chongqing Haizhuang Windpower Equipment’s offshore wind power project in China.

Taiyuan Heavy Industry, China
 

China-based Taiyuan Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (TYHI) selected The Switch PMG and FPC package for its 5 MW onshore wind turbine, which was successfully commissioned in March 2014.

Geoho Energy, China

The Switch has delivered 100 high-speed PMGs for Geoho Energy’s 2 MW turbines.