Northern Power Systems introduces new 2.3 MW permanent magnet direct drive wind turbine

www.digitaljournal.com
March 14, 2011

Northern Power Systems, Inc., a next generation wind turbine manufacturer, announced today the introduction of the Northern Power 2.3 permanent magnet direct drive (PM/DD) wind turbine designed for the onshore utility wind market. This breakthrough product is being launched at the European Wind Energy Association Annual Event in Brussels, Belgium March 14 17.

Additionally, Northern Power Systems today announced that it has successfully installed and commissioned its first prototype Northern Power 2.3 wind turbine. The prototype is owned by Heritage Sustainable Energy and is installed at the Stoney Corners wind farm in McBain, Michigan, USA. This prototype turbine, shipped from the new Northern Power factory in Saginaw, Michigan, is the largest direct drive wind turbine in commercial operation in North America.

The Northern Power 2.3, with its power rating of 2.3 MW, features a superior power curve and a lower cut in speed than competing wind turbines, enabling it to capture more power over a greater range of wind speeds. Combined with its higher availability and lower maintenance costs stemming from its sophisticated technology and simple gearless design, the Northern Power 2.3 offers customers more power, more of the time for a better bottom line.

Northern Power Systems is a pioneer in PM/DD technology with a long track record of development, including its highly successful Northern Power 100 as well as comprehensive testing of a 1.5 MW PM/DD concept generator in 2005. Today's Northern Power 2.3 represents the fourth generation of the company's unrivaled PM/DD technology. Northern Power Systems, in cooperation with the US National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), successfully performed full power verification testing in 2010 of the Northern Power 2.3.

"Our dynamometer testing with the US Department of Energy's NREL facility and field results from our installed prototype turbine have consistently exceeded expectations. We are pleased to commercialize our turbine with a 2.3 MW power rating", said Troy Patton, President of Utility Wind at Northern Power Systems.

"Today marks the culmination of years of dedicated effort to bring our customers the best performing onshore utility wind turbine available in the market", added John P. Danner, Northern Power Systems President and CEO. "With a superior power curve, high availability and a modular PM/DD design, the Northern Power 2.3 will deliver higher project returns for our customers".