What if renewable energy technology existed that negated the need for the Production Tax Credit (PTC)? And what if this technology wasn’t being introduced to the market?

 Undoubtedly, the most talked about story in renewable energy in the U.S. thus-far in 2012 has been the fight to extend the PTC. It provides a 2.2¢/kWh tax incentive to producers of renewable energy, such as wind. Proponents argue that the PTC is a necessary incentive to help the wind industry produce a greater percentage of U.S. electricity.

The U.S. Department of Energy has stated in its published goals as well as throughout its funding announcements that it would like to see technology improve to the point where tax incentives are unnecessary. Current natural-gas prices make it difficult to hit that goal. However, if many of the technologies already prototyped were introduced to wind-turbine market, the production cost of energy could drop to a point where it would be cost competitive with gas at almost any price.

Over the past 18 months, our extensive research of the wind industry’s patent landscape has led us to identify more than 5,000 U.S. patents and applications for horizontal axis, utility-scale wind turbines covering today’s technology and dating all the way back to 1919.  Sifting through more than 8.1 million US patents and millions more pending applications to find the relevant results, which were then analyzed and classified, has been at the heart of identifying the technology trends in the industry.  From these we have identified many technologies which are languishing, yet would be useful on a commercially available wind turbine.

The analysis of the patent landscape revealed the rate for new technology introduction. The analysis included understanding the historical pace of innovation and comparing patent-protected innovations to the known deployment of various technologies on wind turbines. The accompanying chart shows that the issued patents in an industrial equipment industry sector like wind turbines describe a historical trend of innovation.

Even though pending patent applications typically do not publish until 18 months after filing, they still provide an indication of newer technologies which have not yet been commercialized. Therefore, we see a tremendous pendency of new technologies looking for a commercial home. These technologies have found their way into the innovation and patent-prosecution process, but are not yet making their way into commercial industry.

One reason for the discrepancy is that turbine OEMs are often not incentivized to introduce new technologies unless they face particular technical challenges, such as noise mitigation, O&M cost reduction, enhanced low voltage ride-through capability, or a production or availability improvement. If they can sell their turbines to a developer or owner-operator who has a power-purchase agreement (PPA) for a project which is high enough for the turbine OEM to achieve its margin, then they will bid their existing fleet – machines already in production.

It’s when PPA prices trend downwards – as we have seen in the U.S. market – that the margins of turbine OEMs get squeezed. Then they look to develop new turbine technologies and product offerings to make a step change in the production cost of energy (COE) and restore the manufacturer’s profits.

Of course, the risk premium associated with the introduction of a new turbine product or platform, and the R&D associated with development, testing, as well as risk reduction is often prohibitive to introducing the new technology. This is particularly true in a cost competitive and margin-sensitive market where financing of new turbines has been expensive.

Furthermore, the industry has matured over the past 15 years to an extent that it currently faces a point of diminishing returns on R&D investment. There is incrementally less cost-of-energy benefit for every R&D dollar spent on new technology.

But while it takes more investment to get continued benefits, the pace of innovation in wind is actually increasing. Patent issuances and application filings are up, with approximately 30 new applications publishing each week.  This trend continues, even as the industry continues to consolidate and more industrial conglomerates such as GE, Siemens, Samsung and Alstom, compete to gain Tier 1 status in the wind sector and build their patent portfolios to match.

In the immediate term, the extension of the PTC is a fundamental necessity for the stability of the industry. Policy uncertainty does not provide the industry confidence to invest in workers, factories, or new technology. However, if the currently proposed PTC phase-out becomes part of the final language of the tax-credit-extension legislation, we would hope the industry hears the call to arms for the development and commercialization of new technologies which can further reduce the cost of energy and eliminate the need for a PTC.

About the author

Philip Totaro is the Principal at Totaro & Associates, a consulting firm focused on innovation strategy, risk mitigation, market research and product development for the wind industry.

Windpower Engineering & Development

The agreement is set for three years with an option to extend for two additional years and provides the foundation for a long-term relationship among Iberdrola, GE and Tamoin. GE will act as the technology partner in the consortium to provide high availability and reliability for the installed GE wind turbine fleet by supplying parts, specialized labor and technological support, while Tamoin will supply skilled labor.

The scope of the agreement includes planned and unplanned maintenance for the GE wind turbines at the following Iberdrola wind farms: Cuesta Colorada, Cerro Calderón, Cerro Palo, Muela 1, Maza, Calleja, Isabela and Sierra Quemada y Gavilanes.

“Our goal, in collaboration with our partner Tamoin, is to provide Iberdrola with the highest level of service to help optimize operations while maximizing production,” said Ramon Paramio, Europe wind services leader at GE’s renewable energy business.

The GE-Tamoin consortium has been working with Iberdrola for the past two years under an existing services agreement at Iberdrola wind farms in Germany and Poland. In addition, GE has provided equipment and services to Iberdrola for a wide range of energy projects over recent years, including the thermal, aeroderivative and renewable energy sectors.

GE
www.ge.com 

Windpower Engineering & Development

Texas Wind 2012 will feature more than 30 hours of information exchange through keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking events in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Seminars and expo will take place at the historic Sheraton Gunter Hotel in the midst of the Riverwalk, the Alamo, and all that the Nation’s seventh largest city has to offer.

Seminar topics will include wind policy outlook and intensive strategies, initiatives to increase wind project profitability, wind transmission expansion, wind supply chain manufacturing and transportation, homeland security issues and solutions, retail and wholesale market opportunities, regional project case studies, public outreach, workforce development, university and college programs, Wind Law 2012 continuing legal education about wind policy, and Texas wind energy in the media.

Registration, exhibitor, and sponsorship information and online sign-up are available at www.TexasWind.info. Early registration rates are in effect through June.

Windpower Engineering & Development

Selected executives from across the nation will join the program. Targeted executives are those who have built successful companies in different sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology and enterprise technology. Executives with more than 20 years of experience, an advanced degree and experience leading a venture-backed start-up company are encouraged to apply. Each candidate must have a strong desire to transition into the cleantech industry through accelerated training, networking and technology exposure.

“Colorado is a hub for cleantech. There is an abundance of market-ready research and technology here to drive the success of this program,” said Wayne Greenberg, director of the Cleantech Fellows Institute. “The executives selected will have access to virtually unlimited resources, build an invaluable national network of cleantech stakeholders and have the opportunity to launch venture backed companies in one of the industry’s most innovative and supportive communities.”

“We’re thrilled to be a founder of the CFI and we look forward to working closely with experienced executives who can incorporate fresh ideas into leading successful cleantech start-ups,” said Christine Shapard, executive director of Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. “This will be the first year of the program and I’m confident that it will prove to be one of the nation’s most practical and motivating programs to advance the cleantech industry.”

CFI was created by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) and is supported by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business organization of which CCIA is a founding chapter. The CFI program builds on a regional program developed by the New England Clean Energy Council, another AEE member, and takes it national in scope.

This new program begins on Sept.17 with executives immersed in a highly interactive curriculum. Eight weeks of the 17-week program will be held on-site at various locations throughout Colorado such as the Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado, Colorado State University and NREL. Seven weeks will be held “virtually” as webinars taught by nationally recognized experts in advanced energy. The executives will also participate in valuable networking events such as evening debates, speaking sessions, and exclusive dinners.

Approximately 20 percent of the program will be dedicated to intensive study of the energy industry and the regulatory, capital and structural challenges the industry faces. Topics will include overviews of wind, solar, renewable fuels and electricity markets, as well as the state of venture deal terms in cleantech and the outlook for exits. The participants will also study which industry niches are securing the most venture investment to best position their companies. Areas of in-depth study include advanced transportation technologies, energy storage, clean energy technologies and energy efficiency and building technologies.

The key to the program’s success will be the executives’ exposure to commercial-ready technologies from Colorado sources. Working with the universities and NREL as well as various business incubators such as CleanLaunch, the executives will develop a deep understanding of the technologies being researched at each institution. Each executive will select a technology that sparks their interest and plan a capstone project to present in January, in advance of graduation on Jan. 11, 2013. The capstone project includes a market and technology assessment as well as the building of an initial business plan for a potential new cleantech company.

“One of the challenges in the advanced energy sector is finding the right talent to turn cutting-edge technologies into successful companies,” said Graham Richard, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy. “The Cleantech Fellows Institute is a perfect example of identifying special individuals outside of the clean energy industry – whether that be technology or other sectors – and helping them acquire the expertise they need to succeed in the dynamic, competitive advanced energy marketplace. We’re very proud to support this program, which is the result of a true collaboration between two of our founding state partners.”

Cleantech Fellows Institute
cleantechfellows.com 

Windpower Engineering & Development

Hubbell Power Systems
www.hubbellpowersystems.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

The Switch CEO Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen

As wind and solar compete as serious contenders in generating more energy for the world, the energy produced must be as cheap, if not cheaper, than that of fossil-based sources, and the quality of energy equally as high.

The formula for lowering the cost of energy from any source is ultimately simple: Lower overall capital investment costs, equipment lifetime operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and fuel costs while boosting the amount of energy generated. This formula becomes even more attractive with wind and solar – because the fuel is already free.

The Switch has taken a closer look at four ways to lower the costs of energy that affect the remaining variables. Here’s how:

A race is on to lower the cost of energy. Although this applies to all kinds of energy, it is even more crucial with new energy sources. To help renewables pick up speed in being accepted, The Switch has considered the key variables that lower the cost of energy production with wind and solar. Here’s what we think:

1. Raise annual energy production

High availability and great efficiency curves make for a winning combination to boost annual energy production (AEP).

Availability
The simplest way to increase AEP is to keep turbines or solar plants up and running. Though the wind and sun may come and go, the equipment must continue to operate and produce a constant stream of high quality energy.

Five years ago, our company made a decision to pioneer permanent-magnet generators (PMG) for wind turbines as its contribution to raising AEP. PMGs are known for their use of permanent magnets, requiring no external power source to initiate a magnetic field. Today, PMG technology is preferred by the market majority because it ensures fewer failures thanks to no wearing parts and less maintenance.

Since 2007, the company has had field-proven experience in offshore wind conditions from its 4.25 MW direct-drive PMG deliveries to ScanWind. These wind turbines have also set significant records in availability. The Switch PMG drive trains typically average 97% availability or higher in all operating conditions.

By minimizing equipment downtime and scheduling regular maintenance and tune-ups for low wind or solar periods, it is possible to keep renewable energy producing equipment operating at its highest availability. The Switch products all feature a highly serviceable design to minimize the need for maintenance and increase production time.

Efficiency
When it comes to efficiency curves, PMGs excel. Operating at peak efficiency or power does not account for better AEP rates. Rather, improved AEP comes from the amount of time a wind turbine spends generating electricity over all wind speeds.

PMGs demonstrate higher efficiency at partial loads where they spend the greatest number of their operating hours, resulting in a proven higher efficiency curve. Moreover, PMGs start producing power at lower wind speeds, letting them add more power to AEP rates.

Each of The Switch’s PMG-based drive trains delivers efficient curves over the entire wind speed range. In an independent study by NextWind’s Rain Byars, the advantage of using PMG becomes clearer at lower wind speeds due to the PMG’s performance capability at partial loads. The use of PMGs result in 1.4 to 6.9% more energy on a consistent basis per year, depending on the wind class.¹

2. Minimize total life cycle costs

The Switch manufacturers permanent generators and their controls.

Cutting back on total life cycle costs (TLC) means scrutinizing the expenses associated with both the initial capital investment as well as the O&M costs over the lifetime of the equipment. These two essential expenses must be optimized to bring about the best long-term results.

Capital investment
Going for a low-cost initial equipment investment may not always be wise. In fact, it may even lead to higher hidden expenses when it comes to O&M costs throughout the equipment’s lifetime of 20 years or more.

A double-fed induction generator (DFIG) has been estimated to cost about 30% less in initial investment costs because it uses a partial converter rather than a full-power converter. However, it is important to factor in all additional costs of getting the DFIG connected to the grid according to the latest international grid code requirements, because this may entail more costly connectivity methods and lost production time.

We begin each project with a view to minimize TLC. We start by optimizing the design for each wind and solar customer through our design process that involves close collaboration with customers. Every solution is purpose-built for the specific environment in which it will operate. By placing more focus up front on selecting the right, rugged design, we can significantly lower O&M costs over the equipment’s lifetime.

To lower costs, some designs include magnet placement in the generator to minimize their use, special high-humidity systems to avoid disturbances, and optimized weight-efficiency ratios to best match the desired turbine design.

Operation and maintenance
All solutions from the company require minimal maintenance and feature a serviceable design to speed maintenance routines. When maintenance is scheduled for low seasons in wind and solar, it is cheaper and faster. Moreover, when a recommended maintenance program is followed, it is possible to minimize breakdowns and ensure smooth operation.

Our remote equipment monitoring and 24/7 technical support let customers easily implement a proactive service plan, avoiding unexpected downtime and costly failures. Moreover, PMG technology lets us optimize the entire drive train and offer the greatest possible flexibility to find a solution that reduces O&M costs.

One example of this is the FusionDrive concept, which improves the entire drive train design by removing all high-speed components that are more prone to failure. The lightweight product also saves in tower costs. Another example is direct-drive PMG, which eliminates the entire gearbox, and with it, the slip rings and speed measurements.

When comparing the maintenance costs of a PMG turbine with a DFIG turbine, the potential savings are considerable. The estimated maintenance time between failures (MTBF) for a PMG and full-power converter is 8,000 hours compared to only 1,500 hours for a DFIG.¹ In practice, this means servicing once per year for a PMG turbine versus five times per year for a DFIG turbine. The downtime during a maintenance day account for thousands of dollars in lost energy along with associated labor and maintenance equipment costs.

3. Extend the lifetime of equipment

Typical renewable energy generating units, like wind turbines or solar panels, have an estimated operating lifetime of 20 years with today’s technology. By lengthening this time with an additional three to five years, the cost of energy can be lowered significantly. In fact, current designs from The Switch have already been calculated to last longer than 20 years.

A good purpose-built design, well-selected materials and components, and a carefully planned maintenance program can lengthen the lifetime of the equipment substantially. For example, a well-designed drive train minimizes cogging torque, reducing the amount of vibration and lengthening the lifetime of all components.

The Switch has implemented its Model Factory concept, which enables low-cost volume production. This systematic approach allows the consistent, industrialized production of each renewable energy module.

Our proprietary Model Factory concept begins with an optimized supply chain specified by the precise needs of each customer. This guarantees the best possible component quality. It even includes continuous access to critical components, such as the rare earth magnets used in PMG units. Model Factory locations can be flexibly placed wherever needed, even close to the energy generation site. This allows the production of standardized serial products with local expertise and assures the lowest landed cost for each customer.

Another way to extend the lifetime of equipment and increase its production efficiency is through upgrades, retrofitting, and recycling of components. The Switch offers several simple plug-and-play designs to retrofit older DFIG turbines into modern PMG versions that meet the challenging international grid code requirements.

4. Boost the quality of electricity

In the end, the success of renewable energy depends on the quality of electricity it feeds into the grid. News from recent incidents of wind turbines not connected to the grid has overshadowed some of the earlier favorable progress. Now the industry and governments alike are responding – with stricter and more uniform grid code regulations.

Renewable energy products from our company have always demonstrated superior grid connections. Our full-power converters support fault ride-through and fulfill the world’s strictest grid code requirements, including the German BDEW 2008. Our 3-MW units have been tested on site and passed all grid code requirements, even for the latest Chinese regulations. Low flicker, electrical noise emission and THD of <1.5%, the lowest of any in the entire industry, also support the final quality of electricity fed to the grid.

The company believes in the future of new energy as a major contributor to the world’s growing energy needs. But the only way to succeed is to make sure the costs of producing high quality electricity are as low as they can possibly be.

The Switch
theswitch.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

On Tuesday, June 5th, as part of the Wind Turbine Supply Chain Opportunities and Challenges session, Danotek’s Director of Manufacturing Bill Berghoff will present some of the key strategies in building a successful supply chain for a growth-stage company in the wind industry. It will provide the audience with an update to Bill’s well-received presentation at WINDPOWER 2011 that focused on working with suppliers to improve generator design, performance and reliability. This year’s presentation will analyze how Danotek successfully transitioned the supply chain from product concept and design to prototype build and test, and initial serial production. Bill will address many of the challenges that were overcome by both Danotek and our suppliers during the transition.

On Wednesday, June 6th, during the Drivetrain Technology Options session, Dr. Daniel Saban, Danotek’s CTO, will present the findings of an analysis into cost effective drivetrains for large wind turbines. Today’s wind turbine drivetrains exhibit a multitude of topologies: direct drive; geared systems; and various generator technologies. There is much debate on the use of direct drive systems especially for offshore installations, and the relative merits of PM generators versus doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs). Dr. Saban’s presentation will compare and contrast PM generator and DFIG solutions in terms of how they contribute to the wind turbine system’s performance, and will demonstrate how geared drivetrains outperform direct drive systems on a total cost of energy basis.

Danotek’s management and technical staff will also be available on stand #6301 (in Hall B) throughout the AWEA WINDPOWER 2012 event.

Danotek Motion Technologies 
www.danotekmotion.com 

Windpower Engineering & Development

The Eco Wisper mount on a hinged tower that has been lowered to access the 20-kW turbine. The 30 blades are said to rotate almost without noise.

Renewable Energy Solutions Australia (RESA) is the owner of what it calls the world’s most advanced silent wind turbine for mid-sized applications, about 20kW. The turbine features a 30-blade design that is almost silent and up to 30% more efficient than traditional 3-bladed designs. The Eco Whisper Turbine stands 21.1-m high and can produce high energy in low or high winds with a footprint of only 21 m². In comparison, the same output from solar panels would require 250 m².

Following two years of development and testing in Australia, the turbine is ready. It’s first commercial installation is in Tullamarine. The turbine was a finalist in the 2011 Australian Cleantech Awards and was recently awarded a $250,000 commercialisation grant from the Australian government.

The Eco Whisper Turbine can offset medium to large energy requirements. It is suited to commercial, manufacturing, and industrial sites and other applications. It also works on and off grid application with a particular focus on remote communities and diesel replacement.

Other plusses are that it collects wind more efficiently and there are no turn away losses, it delivers more energy from more common wind speeds than three bladed designs, and it performs well in all wind conditions (lower start up speed compared to competitors)

Eco Wisper Turbines

Windpower Engineering & Development

Historically, federal incentives for renewable energy development in the U.S. largely consisted of the investment and production tax credits (ITC and PTC), the accelerated depreciation benefit for renewable energy property [the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), and the bonus depreciation]. The ITC and PTC provide financial incentives for development of renewable energy projects in the form of tax credits that can be used to offset taxes paid on company profits. Given that many renewable energy companies are relatively nascent and small, their tax liability is often less than the value of the tax credits received; therefore, some project developers are unable to immediately recoup the value of these tax credits directly. Typically, these developers have relied on third-party tax equity investors to monetize the value of the main federal incentives for renewable energy project development.

However, in the wake of the 2008/2009 financial crisis, the pool of tax equity investors significantly decreased, limiting the ability of renewable energy project developers to recoup the value of these tax credits. To minimize stagnation in the renewable energy industry as a result of the weakened tax equity market, the Congress created the §1603 Treasury grant program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the stimulus program). This program offers renewable energy project developers a one-time cash payment—in lieu of the ITC and PTC and equal in value to the ITC (30% of total eligible costs of a project for most types of energy property)—thereby reducing the need for project developers to secure tax equity partners.

Although the primary intent of the §1603 program was to minimize the impact of the weakened tax-equity market on renewable project development, as part of the Recovery Act, the program also had “the near term goal of creating and retaining jobs” in the renewable energy sector.

In some cases, says NREL, totals may not equal the sum of components do to independent rounding and preservation of significant figures.

This analysis responds to a request from the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE-EERE) to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to estimate the direct and indirect jobs and economic impacts of projects supported by the §1603 Treasury grant program. The analysis employs the Jobs and Economic Development Impacts (JEDI) models to estimate the gross jobs, earnings, and economic output supported by the construction and operation of solar photovoltaic (PV) and large wind (greater than 1 MW) projects funded by the §1603 grant program. As a gross analysis, this analysis does not include impacts from displaced energy or associated jobs, earnings
Through November 10, 2011, the §1603 grant program has provided about $9.0 billion in funds to over 23,000 photovoltaic (PV) and large wind projects, comprising 13.5 GW of electric generating capacity. This represents roughly 50% of total non-hydropower renewable capacity additions in 2009 to 2011.

The estimated gross jobs, earnings, and economic output supported by the PV and large wind projects that received §1603 funds are summarized below and in
Table ES-1:

• Construction- and installation-related expenditures are estimated to have supported an average of 52,000 to 75,000 direct and indirect jobs per year over the program’s operational period (2009 to 2011). This represents a total of 150,000 to 220,000 job-years. These expenditures are also estimated to have supported $9 billion to $14 billion in total earnings and $26 billion to $44 billion in economic output over this period. This represents an average of $3.2 billion to $4.9 billion per year in total earnings and $9 billion to $15 billion per year in output.

• Indirect jobs, or jobs in the manufacturing and associated supply-chain sectors, account for a significantly larger share of the estimated jobs (43,000 to 66,000 jobs/year) than those directly supporting the design, development, and construction/installation of systems (9,400/year).

• The annual operation and maintenance (O&M) of these PV and wind systems are estimated to support between 5,100 and 5,500 direct and indirect jobs per year on an ongoing basis over the 20 to 30-year estimated life of the systems.

Similar to the construction phase, the number of jobs directly supporting the O&M of the systems is significantly less than the number of jobs supporting manufacturing and associated supply chains (910 and 4,200 to 4,600 jobs per year, respectively).

The estimated ranges reported reflect uncertainty in the domestic content of a system and its components—the portion of total project expenditures spent on U.S.-manufactured equipment and materials such as turbines, towers, modules, or inverters. Based on a review of a number of studies specifically addressing domestic content for these types of systems, and recognizing the complexity and changing nature of solar and wind supply chains, a range for domestic content was applied in the analysis. This included a low of 30% to a high of 70% for both solar and wind systems, spanning the ranges observed in the literature. The lower end of the impact estimates noted above reflects the 30% domestic content assumption while the higher end reflects the 70% assumption. While this range reflects the implications of uncertainty in one key input to the economic impact estimates, it should not be construed as fully bounding uncertainty in the ultimate estimates of the economic impacts. Total investment in these projects, which includes capital investments from all private, regional, state, and federal sources (including §1603 funds), is estimated to exceed $30 billion. These PV and large wind projects account for about 94% of the total generation capacity of projects funded under the §1603 program and represent 92% of total payments.

The results presented in this report cannot be attributed to the §1603 grant program alone. Some projects supported by a §1603 award may have progressed without the award, while others may have progressed only as a direct result of the program; therefore, the jobs and economic impact estimates can only be attributed to the total investment in the projects.

In addition, this effort represents a preliminary analysis of the gross impacts of the PV and large wind projects supported under the §1603 grant program rather than precise forecasts of the national economic and job-related impacts from these projects. Understanding the net employment and economic impacts of these projects would require a more detailed analysis of the types of jobs supported as a result of changes in the use of existing power plants and associated fuels, electric utility revenues, and household and business energy expenditures. Similarly, estimating jobs associated with possible alternative spending of federal funds used to support §1603 projects would require additional analysis.

Lastly, this analysis solely focuses on the jobs, earnings, and economic output supported by projects funded by the §1603 program. For a discussion of the impacts of the §1603 program on installed renewable generation capacity, project financing, and tax-equity markets, see Brown and Sherlock and Bolinger et al. The full report is here: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/52739.pdf

NREL
NREL.gov

Windpower Engineering & Development

The FusionDrive combines a gearbox and PM generators into one unit.

Wind gear manufacturer Moventas and generator manufacturer The Switch, have announced the delivery of the first commercial order for FusionDrive, a gearbox and generator combination. The first delivery is going to Germany-based DeWind.
“We think FusionDrive is the next big thing for the wind industry. It includes the benefits of a hybrid drive, but Moventas and The Switch have taken the integration even further,” says Dr. Sungkon Han, Managing Director of DeWind Europe.

The developers say FusionDrive is the answer to the challenge of turbines needing to be bigger in size and power, while the race is on to lower the cost of energy. The developers say FusionDrive is the smallest and lightest combination of gearbox and generator. Studies have confirmed that it is a technically optimized solution to limit rotational speed. More important to turbine manufacturer and energy provider, the unit provides the highest energy yield and the best serviceability in the market, say the two companies.

The unit requires minimal maintenance, say the companies. The gear and generator can be split, and all components are changeable in the nacelle enabling best serviceability in the market.
Moventas

Moventas.com

Windpower Engineering & Development