Converteam contracts with Envision in offshore and onshore wind for Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generator and Large Scale supply of Wind Converters
Rugby, 16 May 2011
Power conversion specialist Converteam has been selected to supply its leading power train solution to China’s Envision Energy for its latest 3.6MW offshore wind turbine known as GC-1.
Converteam’s tailored solution comprises a Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generator (DD-PMG) optimised to work with its MV3000 full-power converter, both of which are at the heart of the electrical energy production process and are critical to the turbine’s overall efficiency and effectiveness. Based on proven designs, the DD-PMG and the MV3000 enable advanced power control together with top level reliability and minimum maintenance – essential features in any system designed for the harsh offshore environment.
The direct drive technology provides a simple and robust design that requires no gearbox, increasing the overall system reliability, availability and maintainability for wind turbine manufacturers. A permanent magnet generator has the added advantage of being inherently simple and robust by design and it does not require excitation power, slip rings or an excitation control system which leads to high overall efficiency even at low load
Two turbines of the GC-1 design will be constructed in an initial phase; these are expected to be commissioned in Denmark during 2012 with serial production anticipated to follow after a successful testing and proving phase.
In a separate deal Envision has contracted for a further three hundred and fifty of Converteam’s modular 1.5MW ProWind power converters in support of its wind turbine production in China.
The three hundred and fifty ProWind converters will be manufactured at Converteam’s facility in Shanghai. Designed for doubly fed induction generators, the ProWind converters provide a fully controlled solution and use a unique patented technology for active and reactive power control making it suitable for use on power grids throughout the world.
Mr Bell Huang, Sales & Marketing Director at Converteam, comments: “We are proud to have been selected as a strategic supplier to Envision. With these two new contracts, Envision Energy recognises the value of Converteam’s full system approach, as well as our experience in Permanent Magnet Generators and confirms a long lasting cooperation between our companies.”
Speaking for Envision Energy, Mr Anders Rebsdorf, Director – Global Innovation Centre of Envision DK commented: “The GC-1 offshore wind turbine will be a key add-on to our wind turbine offering, which will maximise the economic and environmental potential of wind energy. By selecting Converteam for the critical electrical elements of the GC-1 we are cementing a co-operative relationship, built up since we entered the Wind market in 2007, of incorporating Converteam power converters in our turbines.”
As a power conversion specialist, Converteam provides the renewables industry with converters, generators, power quality and HVDC solutions specifically designed for wind, multi-MW PV solar farms and wet renewables (tidal, waves, currents, small hydro). Converteam is a world leader with 15% market share in wind converters and has an installed converter base of 22GW. It is also a technology leader in wind generators, with the first medium speed PMG delivered in 2003 and, subsequently, many high power direct drive PMGs delivered to the industry. Converteam also received the order for the first tidal installation using medium voltage direct current collection.
About Converteam
The Converteam Group is a world leader in power conversion engineering. Building on over a century of experience, it is firmly placed at the leading edge of technology and innovation with a global reputation for excellence in the conversion of electrical energy. Converteam develops and provides solutions built around three core components: electrical machines, variable speed drives, automation and process control. It serves specialized sectors as well as its six core markets in Renewables, Power Generation, Oil & Gas and Offshore, Marine, Industry and Services. With over 5,300 staff members in 17 countries, Converteam Group provides power conversion solutions worldwide in over 80 countries. In 2010 sales totaled €1,093M with a year-end Order Backlog of €1,183M.