The Switch released a technology paper addressing the ongoing industry debate on drive train technology selection. With this paper, the Finnish manufacturer tackles the performance misconceptions still surrounding the main two drive train technologies that currently dominate the wind energy industry and explains why PMG with a full-power converter (FPC) will emerge as the clear drive drain technology of choice for modern wind turbines.

Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, The Switch CEO, commented: “In the wind power industry, the debate on which generator and converter option makes for the best modern wind turbine drive train is still raging. Numerous technology experts and industry commentators promote the use of the double-fed induction generator technology, while expressing doubts about the advantages of the permanent magnet generator (PMG) approach. In this paper, we aim to set the record straight and explain why PMG with a full-power converter (FPC) is by far the best technology, regardless of which key decision-making criteria you use.”

Tags: The Switch