Extend power and speed capabilities

High-speed induction machines Our direct-drive, high-speed induction machines allow you to eliminate the mechanical gearbox, enabling you to reach higher speeds and unmatched energy efficiency. Solid-rotor technology extends the speed capabilities of standard induction motors, answering the demand for high-speed motors when running below multi-megawatt powers. Our high-speed products are ideal for blowers, compressors, pumps,…

We love PMG – how bout you?

This year’s China Wind Power exhibition in Beijing clearly showed that PMG-FPC technology has broken into the Chinese market and is firmly established. Turbines using PMG technology are now commanding a premium price from utilities there.

A special visit to Finland

September 7, 2015 – Junji Tsuda, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Yaskawa, and Manfred Stern, President and CEO of Yaskawa Europe GmbH, came to Finland to visit The Switch both at its Vaasa facility and new Helsinki office. During the visit, J. Tsuda presented his thoughts to The Switch: Yaskawa Group and The Switch have…

Wind is here to stay

Sunny Barcelona offered an ideal setting for the EWEA 2014 Wind Energy event, although it was clear that wind power development in Spain has collapsed. This is just one example of how dynamically the wind power market can shift from one country to another. At the conference, many great keynote speakers gave very positive speeches…

Medium-speed PMG + FPC – why not?

As PM technology can be applied to all wind turbine drive train topologies, you can choose the one that is best for your own purpose. Especially in the high-power range above 5 MW that is applicable to offshore the size of the direct-drive generator tends to be too large and the three-stage gearbox increases the risk of faults.

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…

Full-power converter production’s record in China

Using a unique model of collaboration in China, The Switch, a supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages, has set up with its partner Scanfil, a global contract manufacturer and systems supplier for professional electronics, volume production of full-power wind turbine converter cabinets in record time and with exceptional quality, setting a new standard for localized production.