American Electric Technologies and Emergya Wind Technologies (EWT) have announced AETI's direct-drive wind converter and its successful deployment for Emergya Wind Technologies in multiple locations including Alaska.

The wind energy converter, designed to meet US grid-tie requirements, low-voltage ride-through, dynamic VAR control and anti-islanding capabilities, incorporates the latest in power conversion technology. The system is also designed for international grid deployments.

The AETI wind converter system utilizes back-to-back inverters to convert the direct-drive generator variable voltage and frequency output to 60HZ AC grid power. The system has the capabilities to work with weak grids for distributed power applications and utilizes a filter to meet IEEE and IEC power quality standards.

"The EWT team is pleased with the success and performance of the AETI converter system," said Eric Bakker, Chief Executive Officer of Emergya Wind Technologies.

"This system has been reliable throughout the past year and continues to produce at a very high power output."

The EWT wind turbine generator uses direct-drive technology to eliminate the gear box, resulting in fewer moving parts to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs.

The rugged, reliable converter developed by AETI is an excellent complement to the simple, elegant direct-drive wind turbine technology, and offers customers a high performance and high availability wind turbine asset.

The AETI power converter architecture scales from 900KW to 3MW and above and supports both direct-drive and double-fed inductor generator (DFIG) wind turbines.

The 900KW wind energy conversion system is optimal for distributed power locations like army bases, hospitals, universities and small cities, which continue to benefit from subsidies for community wind energy generation.

"By working closely with EWT, the AETI technical team has developed a superior converter system for their direct-drive wind turbine," said James Steffek, President, M and I Electric, an AETI company.

"We transferred technology previously created and utilized by AETI in the oil and gas and marine markets to help move the renewable energy market forward."