Category: Blogs

A year of transforming

Another interesting year in wind is coming to an end. The competitive landscape has changed, as many turbine manufacturing newcomers have not made it in the tough competition. At The Switch, we see a clear rationalization going on in the industry. Everyone is evaluating their core competences and concentrating on those. Generally, it seems turbine…

Offshore buzz at EWEA Frankfurt

With everyone looking forward to a new era of business, the main feeling at Offshore 2014 this year was one of optimism and huge excitement. Business is still quite slow. But future plans look bright with turbine manufacturers getting their offshore products ready, and marine infrastructure is ready to support the growth. I’d like to…

End of era in conventional combined heat and power

Conventional combined heat and power (CHP) systems have typically used externally excited synchronous generators or squirrel cage induction generators to produce electrical power. However, this era of using induction generators in CHP systems is ending, as the systems cannot provide electricity during outages and the so-called “black start” feature is missing. Also, while synchronous generators…

Want the latest technology – now?

Upgrading to the latest technology is indeed possible. The way is to simply change your business model and go beyond vertical integration, embracing an asset-light, flexible business model based on financially sound principles to better respond to market demand. This allows you to reach a much higher strategic approach in doing business with customers over the long run because you can constantly anticipate and satisfy their demands.

Building the future on tradition

The ongoing economic crisis has been driving heavy industrial players to look for new technologies that lower the cost of operations. Over the years The Switch has made a strong name for itself in renewable energy generation thanks to its advanced technology. Now, the company aims to bring the same advantages of reliability and efficient energy use to industrial applications.

Collaboration in all

The world economy is showing signs of recovery after many years of being battered by the financial crisis. This is vital for the wind industry so that investments flow into the industry, and at the same time, transformation still continues. Announcements of investments in Dong Energy as well as Mitsubishi and Vestas joining forces are good indications that the strong players are ready to invest in the promising offshore wind.

Better than the neighbor’s kid

Continuous improvement gives a better result in the end. This applies also for our full-power converters (FPC). The first generation FPC is not bad, nor obsolete. But the new FPC+ is better, stronger and bigger in power than its companion.

Looking at The Switch full-power converters, we are living in extremely interesting times. Just wait and see what the autumn and early winter will bring!

7% more profit for merchant ships

Soaring fuel prices, global overcapacity and lower profits are forcing shipbuilder to rethink conventional power configurations. How about gaining up to 7% profit per year instead?

Next generation drive trains from The Switch are game changers when it comes to reaching the highest energy efficiency, lowering the costs of operation and helping merchant vessels comply with future environmental legislations. By combining our permanent magnet machine with our frequency converter, ships can stay afloat and profit in the sea of fierce competition.

China leads the world in PMG turbines

For a number of years, the technology selection for wind turbine drive trains in China had closely followed the same steps as in Europe. Just recently, Chinese companies have leapfrogged ahead to the latest and most advanced modern drive train technology.

Are you stuck with DFIG?

Let’s assume that if there would be one superior technology for a wind turbine drive train, everyone would be using it already. When it comes to technology selection, there are always lots of opinions: engineers’ conclusions, production’s preference, customer’s needs and top management’s decisions.

How to make money from “free” energy

Sunshine is free of charge! That makes it a great fuel for power generation. The value of this free energy and generated power depends on demand and available alternative sources. In other words, it’s a case of simple supply and demand.

The question is how to harvest this energy effectively and generate high quality power to the grid. Solar intensity, cloudiness and available land conditions vary in different locations and parts of the world. Besides that, it comes down to a proper system design and selection of optimal components.