Schuler Group Purchases Direct Drive Wind Drivetrains

Finnish energy generator manufacturer The Switch has received an order from the Shuler Group for two direct drive 3 MW drivetrains. The custom-built permanent magnet generators are optimized to work with 2.7 MW full-power converters (FPC). They are scheduled for delivery and testing in April 2011 and are expected to be connected to the grid in full operation by summer 2011.

According to Joachim Beyer of Shuler Group's board of management, the company is expanding its focus from the automotive industry to the wind market. The Schuler Group aims to develop and supply large-scale wind power plants in Germany initially, and eventually other Central European and international markets.

According to Jürgen Millhoff, key account manager for The Switch, Hamburg office, "With the current shift to low-maintenance, gearless turbines in the wind power industry, The Switch was seen to be a good option for Schuler Group."