Danotek says it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to research drivetrain technology for next-generation wind turbines.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will lead the study, which began in 2011, to research drivetrain technologies that can be scaled up to 6 MW turbines.
According to Danotek, Phase 1 of this study was launched last year and researched innovations to the gearbox, permanent magnet generator and power electronics that will enhance drivetrain capacity and reliability.
The second phase of the study involves incorporating the findings into a 1.5 MW wind turbine, which will then be tested at NREL. If successful, the drivetrain technology could lead to ‘global deployments,’ notes Danotek.
