As US grid requirements evolve, ageing control technology makes it increasingly challenging to keep older wind turbines connected. KK Group will provide targeted repowering through converter control upgrades on 33 GE 1.5 MW turbines for a US utility, helping extend the generating life of the existing assets.
Many ageing wind turbines in the US still have years of productive life ahead of them. But the requirements for connecting to and supporting the electricity grid continue to evolve. As control technology ages, meeting these requirements can become increasingly difficult – even when the rest of the turbine remains capable of generating power.
By replacing ageing converter controls with KK Group’s upgraded technology, the utility will be able to keep its existing turbines operating while supporting compliance with current grid requirements.
“Replacing a wind turbine that still has years of productive life ahead of it doesn’t always make sense. But keeping older turbines operating also means ensuring their technology can meet the requirements of today’s electricity grid. By upgrading the controls, we can help operators bridge that gap and get more value from assets they already have,” says Kim Wichmann-Hansen, President of KK Group US.
Keeping ageing turbines connected to the grid
Wind turbines are designed to operate for decades, but the electricity grid around them does not stand still. Requirements governing how turbines interact with the grid continue to evolve, while the control systems inside older turbines can become increasingly difficult to maintain and upgrade.
This creates a challenge for operators: turbines may still be capable of generating electricity, but ageing technology can limit their ability to meet today’s grid requirements.
Targeted repowering provides another option. Instead of replacing the entire turbine, critical control technology can be upgraded while much of the existing infrastructure remains in place. This can help operators extend turbine lifetime and maximize the value of their original investment.
For this project, KK Group will replace the existing converter controllers with its upgraded control solution, helping the utility extend the operating life of the turbines while supporting continued grid compliance.
Technology enabling extended asset life
At the center of the project is KK Group’s CMC1 Converter Controller. The converter controller helps manage how electricity generated by the turbine is converted and delivered to the grid.
By replacing the ageing controller while retaining the existing converter and other major turbine infrastructure, the solution provides a targeted way to modernize the turbine without replacing major components that can continue operating.
To expand the application of CMC1 across different converter systems, KK Group is working with power electronics specialist ZOPF to develop interface technology that enables the controller to integrate with existing converter hardware.
The approach builds on KK Group’s decades of experience in power conversion and turbine controls and creates a scalable solution for ageing wind turbine platforms where control-system obsolescence and changing grid requirements are becoming increasingly important challenges.
Creating a platform for future growth
More than 10,000 GE 1.5 MW turbines form part of the North American installed wind fleet. As these turbines age – while requirements for connecting to and supporting the electricity grid continue to evolve – more operators are likely to face the challenge of modernizing control technology while keeping otherwise viable turbines in operation.
By developing a scalable converter control retrofit for the GE 1.5 MW platform, KK Group sees significant potential to support more operators seeking to extend the productive life of their existing wind assets.
The project also marks an important milestone in KK Group’s expansion in the North American wind market. The company has been present in the US since 2014, and approximately half of the wind turbines operating in the country contain components manufactured by KK Group.
In 2025, KK Group further strengthened its presence by establishing a dedicated US regional division based in Houston, Texas, targeting growth in the onshore wind market through repowering, service and monitoring solutions.
About KK Group
KK Group is a global technology partner delivering power, controls, cooling, monitoring and service solutions for renewable energy and energy-intensive industries. With decades of experience from the wind and cooling industries, KK Group designs and manufactures electromechanical solutions that drive electrification, improve energy efficiency and extend the lifetime of critical infrastructure.