The Switch Lands First Marine PM Shaft Generator Order
The Switch, a leading supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet (PM) generators, motors and frequency converters, say they have signed an agreement for the delivery of four direct-drive 1.5 MW PM shaft generators to WE Tech Solutions Oy of Vaasa, Finland, who will couple them their WE Drive system for marine use.
According to the manufacturers, the order strengthens the position of The Switch as it uses its proven track record of applying PM generator technology successfully in the wind power industry now to a range of marine applications. They explain that permanent magnet technology has been proven in numerous industries and under extremely harsh operating conditions to provide unmatched power density, energy efficiency, design flexibility and operational reliability. Now it is possible for ship builders and ship owners to gain from true fuel savings by upgrading to PM technology for shaft generators.
Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech Solutions Oy adds: "Over the past three decades, the shaft generator has been successfully employed on board ships worldwide. The main advantage is to allow main engines to use cheaper heavy fuel oil (HFO) for electrical power production, thereby significantly reducing the running hours of auxiliary generators.
"With the WE Drive variable frequency drive from WE Tech Solutions and the PM shaft generator from The Switch, the ships electrical network is generated with the same high efficiency throughout the full speed range of the main engine. This feature is especially important in electrical part loads. The WE Drive also ensures 1 MW boost power directly to the propeller shaft to support the main engine when required, thus enabling a low-load optimized main engine."
For more information, visit www.theswitch.com