FusionDrive Event, Jyväskylä, Finland: After eight months of testing and verification, FusionDrive®, the industry’s most advanced gear and generator combination is now a validated drivetrain. The smallest and most lightweight combo in the market has proven to reach 96.6% efficiency, leading to an excellent energy yield.
The gear and generator combination, in commercial production for DeWind, is a joint effort of Moventas and permanent magnet generator supplier The Switch.
FusionDrive enables higher drivetrain efficiency due to a better power curve and overall efficiency. It has a lower drive train mass and requires less material and its compact design allows lighter overall turbine layout.
Added to great serviceability and potential for up-tower repairs, which reduce maintenance and repair costs, all FusionDrive benefits help reduce the LCoE (Levelized Cost of Energy) by a total of 6% comparing to a 3MW onshore turbine with conventional drivetrain concept.
FusionDrive with 3000kNm shaft torque carrying capacity has recently completed comprehensive factory verification process at the Moventas R&D center in Jyväskylä, Finland. FusionDrive’s overall efficiency exceeded all expectations; a 96.6% efficiency was reached already in 65% of the operation nominal.
The full load tests of the FusionDrive showed good dynamic behavior and an overall sound power level of < 96 dB(A) in all operation phases. The combo’s vibration tests also exceeded expectations (see video link).
In addition to normal testing phases including component, climate chamber and load testing, the verification process was modified to verify also one of the design priorities – FusionDrive’s excellent serviceability that will revolutionize wind power maintenance costs.
A complete FusionDrive service without an external crane is now proven to be possible. This significantly reduces maintenance & repair lifecycle cost – according to Moventas’ calculations; by as much as 15%. Moventas specializes in challenging up-tower repair methods as well as preventive maintenance, the spearhead of which is the CMaS Condition Management System that overlooks turbines with as many as seven key parameters.
The successful testing of the FusionDrive has also raised interest across different application for different industries.
– Applications within Moventas’ other key customer industries, minerals and mining, need similar power conversion, and FusionDrive is as efficient when working as a motor gear combination as the now tested gear and generator combination, explains FusionDrive Product Manager Kari Uusitalo from Moventas.
The test results were published today at the FusionDrive Event at Moventas, where guests also witnessed a disassembly demonstration.
Arto Lahtela
Senior Vice President, Wind Gears
Moventas
See how the FusionDrive did in an unofficial vibration test!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m65CnHxvzE0&feature=youtu.be
For more information, please contact Product Manager Kari Uusitalo at tel. +358 45 788 131 54 / kari.uusitalo@moventas.com
Moventas is one of the world’s leading industrial and wind gear manufacturers providing power transmission solutions to a variety of industries including the wind energy, pulp and paper, mining, and marine markets in addition to supplying comprehensive services for the overhaul, maintenance and remote management of gears. Moventas has 950 employees in 14 countries and a worldwide partner network. Moventas is part of the global engineering group Clyde Blowers. Read more at www.moventas.com.
With 6.5 GW of installed wind power capacity, The Switch is a leading supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages that effectively capture power from highly variable new energy sources like wind and solar. The technology ensures reliable, future-proof grid compliance and maximized energy yields. Since starting operations in 2006, The Switch has reached net sales of EUR 93.8 million in 2011. The company employs a total of 210 persons. The Switch is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland. For more information, visit www.theswitch.com.
