Sheffield based Magnomatics, a world leader in magnetic gear development, has showcased its groundbreaking windpower technology in China and the USA.
The Sheffield-based company was chosen to participate in the Innovate and Go Global visits, which are part of an international business programme aimed at attracting inward investment to the UK through developing collaborative partnerships between innovative companies from Britain and around the globe.
Magnomatics showcased its magnetically-geared generator, or Pseudo-Direct Drive (PDD®), a smaller, lighter and more efficient alternative to the direct drive generators commonly used in wind turbine power conversion.
Compact yet powerful the PDD® can be scaled to 10MW and beyond to deliver class-leading annual energy output and cost of energy. Further benefits include optimised servicing and reduced system complexity.
Magnomatics was one of a select number of SMEs chosen to join the Innovate and Go Global programme, funded by Innovate UK’s Global Business Accelerator Programme, with the aim of developing contacts and building relationships within key renewable energy sectors.
Delegates toured several flagship offshore wind power schemes in Qingdao and Jiangsu provinces to learn more about their requirements and to present on their own companies’ technologies. China is looking to invest around 50 billion yuan in research and development of offshore schemes, with the aim of developing 30GW wind energy technology by 2020.
The company also took part in a similar visit to build partnerships in the US, where the offshore wind market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, with a target of reaching 20GW by 2030.
The UK is considered to be a world leader in offshore wind technology, with 5.5GW already installed or under construction, and is on track to deliver over 10GW by 2020.
David Latimer, Chief Executive Officer of Magnomatics, said: “I am delighted we were able to share our skills, knowledge and technological innovations with potential investors in the Chinese and US markets. Our expertise is of significant interest to both markets and our skill set can play a vital role in supporting these countries with their production targets. These visits have resulted in some exciting opportunities that, if realised, could have a major benefit for Magnomatics.”
