The Switch 8.6 MW offshore PM generator passes initial no-load tests with success

The Switch, a leading manufacturer of permanent magnet generators and full-power converters, announced today that its 8.6 MW permanent magnet generator (PMG) for offshore use successfully passed initial no-load testing. The massive drive train component is scheduled to undergo complete full-load tests in the upcoming weeks. The Switch’s medium-speed, rear-mounted PMG design brings together the…

Carlo Cecchi: East goes West

Attention: Chinese wind power manufacturers! We know that you are eyeing the West. Speaking last week to a house full of Chinese business and trade journalists at The Switch media business luncheon in Beijing, Celia Sun from MAKE consulting company listed a few approaches and risks you may want to consider when entering new markets.

According to MAKE’s Chief Representative in China, regulatory and technical barriers in mature markets may become a hindrance to the overseas business development plans of Chinese companies. To a large extent, this is true. However, as we at The Switch know very well, some of the Chinese wind turbines are already ‘powered by’ Western technologies, such as The Switch’s permanent-magnet generators and full-power converters.

The Switch - Carlo Cecchi

The Switch wins new orders from established customers in Norway, China, expands presence in off-shore wind production and Asian wind power markets

Repeat orders for its wind-power generation components from key Norwegian and Chinese accounts position The Switch, with its cutting-edge permanent magnet generator and full-power converter package, for a strong 2009.

The new agreement calls for The Switch to provide ScanWind with drive train packages that combine a direct-drive 4.25 MW permanent magnet generator with a full-power converter to be used in offshore wind turbine development efforts. In Asia, repeat orders from customers in China call for nearly one gigawatt of additional production, more than doubling The Switch’s production capacity overall.

Adding value to excel

As we move forward in these unpredictable times, we’ve been sharpening our strategy to offer our customers even more value so they can succeed at what they do best.

Having the world’s largest permanent magnet generator and full-power converter product range, we can offer customers predictable time-to-market with this latest, advanced technology. We’ve streamlined our processes to shorten the lead times in customer projects to give them the edge to come out with the bestsellers of the future.

The Switch - Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen

5 MW drive train packages operating in Chinese offshore wind project

The Switch, a Finland-based supplier of permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages, announced today that its first 5 MW high-speed drive trains installed in the field in China for CSIC Haizhuang Windpower Equipment Co., Ltd, a Chinese wind power equipment manufacturer, are now successfully operating.

The Switch - 5 MW drive train packages installed and operating in Chinese offshore wind project

An exciting ride toward making the switch

Being in the driver’s seat of The Switch since its inception in 2006 has been the highlight of my career. As of June 30, with full confidence, I am handing the keys of The Switch over to the next generation.

Making the switch our vision

All around us, we’re seeing the real switch happening in energy production. Renewables have already won the fight against old-fashioned energy production. The key to The Switch approach for this has been our full-power converter (FPC).

The Switch signs new deal with PROKON and triples order backlog

The Switch received orders for key wind power components from PROKON of Germany. Together with repeat agreements from China, the total order value The Switch received during June is over EUR 100 million, resulting in the largest order backlog in the company’s history.

The Switch - The Switch signs new deal with PROKON and triples order backlog

Life’s comforts and electronics

What do wind turbines and summer cottages have in common? They are quite similar. Perhaps not in numbers, but from a technology point of view. Some are equipped with features only considered necessary for survival; others have ultra-modern technical solutions that even enable remote access to monitoring equipment by mobile phone. Both in cottages and turbines, features requested in the 90s may not live up to our needs today.

The Switch - Jussi Paakkunainen

Why smaller ships need a new generation of compact electric machines

Electrification is steadily reshaping ship power systems across the maritime industry. From battery-powered ferries and hybrid offshore vessels to large container ships using shaft generators and power take-off systems, electrical machines are becoming a central part of modern vessel design. However, the engineering challenges behind electrification can vary significantly depending on vessel size and operating…

The Switch reconfigures Vaasa factory as demand for DC systems accelerates

Marine power electronics (PE) specialist The Switch is realigning its Vaasa operations in Finland to strengthen production output amid accelerating vessel electrification. This restructuring will create new jobs in Vaasa and establish the site as a second hub for PE production and testing alongside The Switch’s long-standing base in Stord on the west coast of…