Already in commercial production, FusionDrive®, the market’s smartest gear and generator combination, is now proven to work well in its test field. The full load test run recently started in the Moventas R&D center in Finland.
Vantaa, Finland April 4, 2013 – The gear and generator combination, now in commercial production for DeWind, is a joint effort of The Switch and gear supplier Moventas. FusionDrive® is the most advanced gear and generator combination in the world, with an astonishing efficiency. The overall drive train efficiency with both partial loads and nominal output has proven to be best in class and will lower the cost of wind energy.
FusionDrive® aims at lowering the cost of energy for 3 MW+ turbines significantly by reduced length and weight, increased reliability and better serviceability compared to conventional drive train solutions. FusionDrive® is the smallest and most lightweight combination in the market; the 3MW FusionDrive® only weighs 35 tons and is only two meters long and 2.3 meters wide.
FusionDrive® also offers the best serviceability in the market, with all main components changeable up-tower. With these features, FusionDrive® will make an important contribution to the wind industry, especially in the more demanding offshore wind market.
“FusionDrive® shows great potential. Our customers and the market are very excited about the benefits this medium-speed combined generator and gear drive train can bring them,” says Panu Kurronen, Product Manager of The Switch.
After a period of successful cold-climate testing, two FusionDrive® units are now driven for some five weeks in various load conditions. “Everything has been going smoothly. Even at full load, FusionDrive® has shown ideal noise and vibration performance. In fact, all of our expectations have been exceeded,” says Product Manager Kari Uusitalo from Moventas.
The FusionDrive® load test run will be followed by an analysis phase, serial drive and finally a disassembly demonstration in an event for customers, media and other interest groups in Jyväskylä in the beginning of June 2013. “During the disassembly test, our customers get to witness close-up how easily the combination can be disassembled, exactly as it would be for up-tower service,” explains Uusitalo.
See how FusionDrive® did in an unofficial vibration test:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65CnHxvzE0&feature=youtu.be
FusionDrive® animation including disassembly demonstration:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khnn9llthEc
About Moventas
Moventas is one of the largest state-of-the-art manufacturers of wind turbine gears in the world. The company also manufactures power transmission solutions for industrial markets including the pulp and fiber, mining and minerals and power generation industries. It also provides extensive aftermarket services for the maintenance, overhaul, upgrade, repair and replacement of gear systems. The company has some 900 employees in 13 countries globally and a worldwide partner network. Moventas is part of the global engineering group Clyde Blowers.
This story is featured in Switching on Frequently 01/2013.
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