Boulder Wind Power (BWP), a developer of permanent magnet generators and power converter technology for utility-scale wind turbines, has expanded its product line with the new DC Generation System.
BWP says the new power conversion approach leverages the company's distributed converter and printed circuit board (PCB) technology to distribute the power conversion process across the generator and convert power from alternating current to direct current directly at the generator.
‘We are bringing an innovative power conversion approach to the wind industry,’ says Andy Cukurs, CEO of Boulder Wind Power. ‘Because BWP generators are naturally segmented, we can combine our PCB stators with power conversion components in a modular fashion and can optimize system voltage to meet customer requirements. These lower-voltage combinations enable the use of off-the-shelf, low-voltage silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET active rectifiers.’
BWP says the new system can be used with all of the company's geared and direct-drive generator designs and results in turbine system efficiency increases of up to 2% through the use of next-generation SiC MOSFET active rectifiers in the distributed converter and DC transmission in the down tower cables. Alternatively, the company says customers can trade efficiency gains for smaller down tower cables.
