USA: DOE Selects Danotek to Power Next Generation Wind Turbines

Danotek, a leader in the development and manufacture of highly efficient and reliable permanent magnet (PM) generators and full power converter systems for the global wind energy market is part of a consortium selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the next-generation designs of land-based and offshore wind turbine drivetrains, designs that will further reduce the cost of wind energy and ensure U.S. companies are at the forefront of technical innovation within the global wind energy industry.

In 2011, DOE made awards to six groups for a Phase I study into innovative drivetrain technologies that could be scaled to larger turbines and make significant reductions in the cost of wind energy. From these Phase I studies, two consortia were selected for Phase II awards intended to demonstrate the technologies’ commercialization potential.

The Next Generation Drivetrain (NGD) consortium is led by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and includes wind turbine, gear systems, power electronics and PM generator manufacturers and drivetrain specialists, a team with unparalleled design, build and commercialization expertise.

Commenting on the NGD team’s success, Danotek’s CTO Dr. Daniel Saban said: “The results of the Phase II work will undoubtedly influence the design of tomorrow’s wind turbine drivetrains, including the choice of generator technology. Compared to direct-drive systems, medium-speed drivetrains with PM generators can deliver better performance at a much reduced cost, and avoid challenges posed by handling and transporting very large diameter machines.”

During Phase I, the NGD team identified innovations to the gearbox, PM generator and power electronics that will enhance wind turbine drivetrains’ capacity and reliability. In Phase II, these innovations will be incorporated into a scalable 1.5MW prototype that will be tested at NREL.

Upon successful completion of testing, technology readiness levels will be advanced that, combined with a commercialization plan, will lead to global deployments of the drivetrain technologies.

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Press release, September 12, 2012; Image: Danotek