The UK-based engineering company is currently finalising the design of the generator, converter and control systems for the drivetrain.
Testing is due to take place in a generator facility in Norwich. Wind Technologies CEO Ehsan Abdi indicated he hopes testing can also take place at Narec’s 15MW offshore turbine test rig in Blyth, Northumberland.
In June, Wind Technologies was awarded a £728,355 (EUR 869,190) grant from the UK government to design, manufacture and test a 5MW medium-speed drivetrain.
Abdi said the turbine’s medium-speed brushless doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) will improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs, especially compared with high-speed DFIG options because it eliminates at least one gearbox stage.
He also claims the drivetrain is cheaper than permanent magnet generators, which have expensive magnets.
Wind Technologies’ drive train was in Windpower Monthly’s top 10 drivetrains of 2012.
