A study we made during summer 2021 quantified impressive permanent magnet (PM) machine efficiencies for vessels like LNG and LPG carriers that often utilize slow-speed, direct-driven in-line shaft generators producing electrical power from two-stroke main engines.
In the early 2010s, our wind business slowed down and forced us to find new applications for our permanent magnet (PM) technology. We gravitated to marine power generation and propulsion.
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.
To remain competitive, shipowners are always looking to increase efficiency while lowering operating costs. Ship designers can help by optimizing electrical generation.
The demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia are plain sailing for MS Viikki thanks to an innovative solution, built around WE Tech’s variable frequency drive technology and The Switch direct-drive permanent magnet shaft generator.
When I visited China Wind Power 2018 a few weeks ago, I was pleased to see how the offshore wind business was taking off. Products are being developed in China for upcoming 8 to 10 MW turbines, and the technology of choice seems to be either direct-drive or medium-speed permanent magnet generators. This confirms the…
The key message of China Wind Power 2018 was “Preparing for the pathway to grid parity.” Technological innovation and lowering the cost of energy are the two main ways to tackling the challenges of grid parity.
An increasing renewable contribution is good news for everybody. But! The fluctuating nature of power generated from wind imposes difficulties in stable electrical transmission. So how to cope with this?