In many ways, there isn’t much new in renewable energy. Renewable energy, of course, is new in the sense of what it means. The energy source renews itself and its availability is as such plentiful. Yet, both wind and hydro energy have been captured for hundreds of years, for example, in sailboats, windmills, hydro powered mills, saws and other equipment. Solar was harvested in greenhouses and for heating long before there were photovoltaic panels.
In the January 2021 issue of Motorship, Stevie Knight interviews Dr Jussi Puranen to find out about the latest advances in permanent magnet technology for shaft power. Read the full article starting on Page 12.
When North Sea Giant was delivered to North Sea Shipping in 2011, it was the world’s most advanced offshore construction vessel. The Switch DC-Hub solution is one of the reasons why this was the case. Read the full expert story from DNV GL.
The Switch has again taken giant leaps ahead in its chosen area of delivering megawatt-class converter and generator packages for wind power and other renewable energy applications.
Now with new and repeat orders from customers in the tens of millions of euros, The Switch dominates as technology leader in full-power converters and permanent magnet generators, and has strengthened its position as a market leading supplier.
On October 17–19, China Wind Power celebrated its very special 10th anniversary. Of course, this year again The Switch was there too – to celebrate this festive edition together.
All around, we’re seeing the real switch happening in energy production. The key to The Switch approach for this has been our full-power converter (FPC).
During the summer, we got a glimpse of the great possibilities with our new owner Yaskawa. We aimed to co-juvenate The Switch with our customers and partners by leveraging our full potential in the industries where we are present. Today we are reflecting on the first results of the recent change.
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.
The Switch, a supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages for wind power and other renewable energy applications, and YASKAWA Electric Corporation, a global manufacturer of servomotors, controllers, inverters, and industrial robots, today announced they will enter into a strategic cooperation on high-power motors, generators and converters.
By combining forces, the two companies plan to leverage each other’s technology expertise, expand their product range and to strengthen their market positions in Europe and Japan. This cooperation will result in a more complete offering in product packages and eventually in bigger and better wind turbines.
The Switch has signed a new agreement with Dong Fang for a 3 MW drive train to be designed in collaboration with Finland-based Moventas, who will deliver the gear solution for the turbine. The aim is to optimize the entire package for Dong Fang to sell to the Chinese market. The new order comes right after the successful startup of The Switch 1.5 MW direct-driven generators.
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 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.
Between 2009 – 2011, we were spoiled by a “green race” that started as a sprint. There was an urgent need to bring Asian nations—especially China—into line with the rest of the world to use cleaner and more efficient energy sources.
Suddenly in 2012, it’s turned into something of a marathon, with companies and financial institutions involved in the market, which has been slowed by regulatory and political climates that have evolved in the face of new economic realities.
