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Princeton Power Wins Contract to Develop Low Wind Speed Technology for Small Wind Turbine
Predicts Lower Cost, Higher Efficiency, and Superior Reliability
Princeton, NJ, October 28,
2003 – Princeton Power Systems, developer of AC-link™ technology for
advanced electrical power conversion and conditioning, has received a grant**
from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and its National Renewable Energy
Laboratory to design and develop a 50kW, 480VAC
prototype AC-AC power converter to control wind
turbines, using
its patented AC-link conversion technology. The
DOE will invest $588,834
for this 18-24 month effort.
Princeton Power Systems is working with Bergey
Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of small wind turbines, to design the
converter for compatibility with its commercial wind turbine. "On today's
advanced variable-speed small wind turbines, the power electronics are a
critical link in the system,” states Mike Bergey, president, Bergey Windpower.
“We are excited about Princeton Power Systems’ AC-link technology, and look
forward to assisting them in this important development program."
“Based on existing motor
control drives developed by Princeton Power, this converter
will demonstrate more than 30% lower cost, 2-5% higher efficiency, and greater
predicted reliability than today’s state-of-the-art converters,”
notes Darren Hammell, president and CEO of Princeton Power Systems. “The
converter will also offer unique flexibility in
terms of power quality and an intelligent control system, allowing
it to adapt to evolving regulations, and
ensuring seamless integration with the utility grid.”
Princeton Power Systems’ AC-AC
power converter is a vastly improved and
essential component of the turbine, a grid-interconnected inverter that
will lower the initial and lifetime costs of small wind turbines to make
tomorrow’s installation as economic in a Class 3 wind area as today’s is in
a Class 5.
Princeton Power Systems is also working with Northern
Power System's R&D facility, the Energy
Technology Laboratory, to design the converter for compatibility with
commercial wind turbine applications.
Currently, there are vast areas of the United States
with lower wind speeds than are economically viable for electric power
generation. This public/private partnership has spurred technological
innovation, and Princeton Power Systems’ technology will enable a wind turbine
to cost-effectively serve a range of high valued, distributed power applications
primarily targeted at residential and small commercial businesses. In addition
to generating clean power, it also enables net metering.
Princeton
Power has developed and demonstrated the AC-link technology
for use in industrial markets, and is working with the Office of Naval Research to
determine the feasibility of using AC-link to power large shipboard propulsion
drives and other electrical systems.
About
Princeton Power Systems
Princeton Power Systems is developing advanced power
conversion technologies, including AC-link™, a patented control method that
provides a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power
cleanly and efficiently. This technology can be used in the
industrial motor control, renewable electricity and distributed power generation
markets, and will reduce industrial energy consumption, lower peak
electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources at a much lower cost
than existing power conversion technologies.
Princeton Power’s core products
include motor controllers, wind turbine converters, and grid-tied inverters.
AC-link uses simpler, more reliable
components and incorporates advanced algorithms for controlling various aspects of the
electric power, which allows the use of less complex, less expensive hardware to
achieve precision power control. This makes AC-link devices rugged, reliable and
cost-effective, and yields high-quality power waveforms.
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