The Switch, a provider of megawatt-class, permanent magnet generator (PMG) and full-power converter packages, has developed a drivetrain that allows active power extracted from the wind turbine, as well as the reactive power produced, to be individually and precisely controlled over the entire operating speed range.
‘The Switch Drive not only offers substantially improved costs, but the efficiency of the PMG at partial speed is superior to that of conventional double-fed or squirrel-cage systems,’ says Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, president and CEO of The Switch.
‘Another advantage of the Switch Drive is its ability to tune itself to individual sites and seasonal conditions,’ he adds.
The full-power converter is optimized to work with a range of PMG concepts. It features lightweight construction, modular power packs with liquid or air cooling, customizable software to match all turbine designs and wind conditions, and a rugged design that provides greater fault tolerance and grid support through fault ride-through functionality.
For more information, visit theswitch.com.
SOURCE: The Switch