Ingeteam is developing medium voltage (MV) full power converters for the largest offshore wind turbines.
The Ingecon Wind Full converter, already available for offshore turbines up to 15MW, will be ready for 18MW machines by 2024, said Ingeteam.
The latest converter is part of Ingeteam’s suite of full power drive train components, including the high-performance Indar generators.
The company’s offshore wind converters and generators can be combined and integrated to form a highly optimised and competitive full power drive train solution suited for the most demanding offshore environments.
Ingeteam’s full power converters can reach up to a 18MW rating thanks to the parallelisation of two conversion lines, which provides redundancy in terms of de-rated operation under a conversion line fault.
“One of the main electrical drive train topologies is based on two electrically independent connections, one per conversion line.
“The power converter redundancy increases turbine availability if one of the conversion line fails. This is a key advantage in the offshore market as it increases the energy yield and the return on investment,” said Carlos Gironés, R&D Director of Converters & Controls at Ingeteam Wind Energy.
Ingeteam also offers two different generator series for full power conversion topologies.
He added: “We wanted to provide our OEM customers working on next-generation offshore turbines with a power conversion solution that combines optimised cost, high efficiency, easy maintainability, and improved reliability, all combined into one rugged product.
“Years of R&D have led to a power conversion solution that, by parallelising two conversion lines, can push the previous power rating boundaries at medium voltage past the 13MW limit to reach 18MW.
“Such a cutting-edge solution in the sector is already emerging as the new standard for future offshore wind mega turbines.”