Wind power has been one of the fastest growing sources of power generation globally. In the United States, which has surpassed Germany as the largest wind power market, the five-year average (2004-2008) annual growth rate for wind power installations was 32%, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
With an installed base of 25,369 MW in operation at the end of 2008, the U. S. was also the 2008 world leader in new wind installations. While AWEA estimates a slower growth rate in 2009, wind power installations are still projected to grow by 5,000 MW (20%) or more this year. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 extended the production tax credit for the wind industry to 2012, with an alternate option to secure a grant from the Treasury Department in the amount of a 30% investment tax credit.
"We believe renewable energy provides growth opportunities for Magnetek," said Peter McCormick, chief executive officer. "We look forward to fulfilling this order for our customer, as we continue to work on the development of additional advanced power conversion solutions for both the wind and solar markets."
Magnetek, Inc. manufactures digital power and motion control systems used in material handling, people moving and energy delivery, including high efficiency power inverters for the wind and solar power industries. The Company is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis. in the greater Milwaukee area and operates manufacturing plants in Pittsburgh, Pa., Canonsburg, Pa. and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada as well as Menomonee Falls.
Magnetek Receives First Production Order for New Technology Liquid Cooled Wind Inverters
Magnetek, Inc. (NYSE: MAG) announced that it has received an initial production order valued at nearly $1.5 million for its newly designed utility-scale E-Force™ liquid cooled wind inverter. Delivery of the inverters is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, 2010, the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
Based on Magnetek’s innovative E-Force air cooled inverter technology platform, this high power density liquid cooled inverter provides optimal thermal performance in a compact design for applications where air cooling is unsuitable. The E-Force liquid cooled inverter is ideal for sealed structure applications such as near shore wind turbines or wind turbines installed in corrosive environments, as well as locations where sustained operation at elevated ambient temperatures is required.
“Leveraging our air cooled E-Force inverter platform, this new technology provides our customers with proven inverter performance and reliability for applications requiring advanced liquid cooled thermal management,” according to Brad Taylor, vice president and general manager of Magnetek’s energy systems business. “This liquid cooled inverter technology will also be available in our utility-scale E-FORCE solar inverters, ideal for installation in solar power electrical equipment rooms and high ambient temperature solar power applications.”
Magnetek’s modular utility-scale E-Force inverters regulate and transform DC power generated by wind turbines or photovoltaic systems into utility-grade AC power, which is distributed to the power transmission grid. E-FORCE inverters offer peak efficiencies when operating at full power and provide less current distortion by using revolutionary high-frequency switching technology engineered exclusively by Magnetek. Their compact design makes E-FORCE inverters easier to install and service. Sophisticated self-diagnostics and remote monitoring capabilities allow customers to maximize energy generation. NEMA rated enclosures ensure electronics are protected from extreme temperatures and the elements.
“With the development of our first fuel cell power inverter in 1995, Magnetek has proven experience in renewable energy power conditioning,” stated Peter McCormick, president and chief executive officer. “This new liquid cooled inverter technology further expands Magnetek’s portfolio of advanced power conversion solutions for the utility-scale wind and solar markets and positions Magnetek for further growth within the industry.”
