Renewables
We challenged the renewable energy industry by promoting permanent magnet generators and full-power converters as the preferred technologies for wind turbines. Today, almost all new high-power wind turbine designs incorporate permanent magnet generators and full-power converter drive systems.
Today, we leverage our expertise in permanent magnet generators and power electronics to tailor solutions for wind and other renewable energy applications.
Permanent magnet generator – maximizing energy output
Permanent magnet generators can increase annual power generation, reduce total lifecycle costs, and meet the most stringent grid specifications. When used in conjunction with full-power converters, they enable high reliability, higher overall efficiency, and ultimately ensure compliance with future-proof grid standards.
Permanent magnet generators are widely used in the wind power industry. Due to the absence of easily damaged parts, permanent magnet generators have a low failure rate and require minimal maintenance. Using permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field eliminates the need for an external power source, reducing costs, simplifying the structure, and improving system efficiency.
As pioneers, we challenged the wind power industry by making permanent magnet generators the technology of choice for offshore wind turbines, and then commercialized them for onshore wind turbines. Today, our technology continues to shape the future of renewable energy.
Renewables references
Water Wall Turbine, Canada
WWT selected The Switch’s 500 kW frequency converter for its innovative self-floating power plant to extract potential and kinetic energy from large, fast moving water currents for conversion into electric energy.
Danish wind turbine manufacturer
A Danish turbine manufacturer chose our medium-speed PMG for its 8 MW flagship. The first turbine prototypes has been installed at the start of 2014.
Goldwind, China
The Switch has supplied over 6,000 liquid-cooled FPCs for Goldwind’s 1.5 MW wind turbines.
Atlantis Resources, UK
Atlantis chose our integrated medium-speed PM generator for its newest AR1500 turbine, one of the world’s highest yield tidal energy generation devices designed for extreme environmental conditions.
ScanWind, Norway
The Switch has provided ScanWind with third-generation drive train packages that combine a 4.25 MW PMG and FPC for use in offshore wind turbine development efforts.
Dongfang, China
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.
PROKON, Germany
Germany-based PROKON placed another order for 100 direct-drive 3 MW PMG and FPC packages in autumn 2013.
GARUDA, India
Garuda Vaayu Shakthi Limited chose The Switch to be the supplier for 2 high-speed 700 kW PMG and FPC packages, which were commissioned in 2011 in India.
Doosan, South Korea
Doosan of Korea has been an important customer since 2009 for the 3 MW class, high-speed PMG product family from The Switch.
ATB Riva Calzoni SpA, Italy
Two sets of high-speed 500 kW drive train prototypes from The Switch were installed in Italy by ATB Riva Calzoni SpA.
Chongqing Haizhuang Windpower Equipment, China
Our first high-speed 5 MW drive train packages were installed in 2013 and are successfully operating for Chongqing Haizhuang Windpower Equipment’s offshore wind power project in China.
Taiyuan Heavy Industry, China
China-based Taiyuan Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (TYHI) selected The Switch PMG and FPC package for its 5 MW onshore wind turbine, which was successfully commissioned in March 2014.