Novel Direct-Drive Permanent Magnet Generator

Introduction:

The company invented and developed a new low-cost direct-drive permanent magnet generator that uses iron (GBP1/RMB9per kilogram) instead of rare earth magnets (GBP40/RMB349per kilogram). The people ever considered using ferrite magnets in the past, but they gave it up in the end, because ferrite magnet is only one-third of rare earth magnet in terms of strength. If traditional generators use ferrite magnets, they will not be able to produce the needed electricity output. The company has developed a new axial flux generator design that makes it possible to use low-cost ferrite magnets within the same space envelope, eliminating the need to use large amounts of existing rare earths. The direct-drive permanent magnet generator has four key components: stator coil, stator plate, ferrite magnet and a rotor plate.

The company is looking for partners in the field of supply chain and manufacturing, hoping to bring multi-megawatt commercial generator sets to the market. Now it is earnestly looking for:

1) Partners of parts supply chain, who can manufacture coils, stator pieces, magnets and rotor plates as per defined specifications;

2) Partners of manufacturing and assembly, who will be responsible for the mass production of generators.

Technological advantages:

As of January 2018, the company is the only one of its kind in the world manufacturing direct-drive permanent magnet generators using ferrite magnets. This generator is a low-cost, multi-megawatt power generator. Once it is verified in mass-production practice, it will become a new generator technology in UK and will be widely applied throughout the world. Preliminary estimate shows that the direct drive permanent magnet generator can reduce the levelized cost o power generation by more than 1%.

Technological application:

The 250kW unit completed under the project will receive tests at ORE Catapult's plant in Bryce, Northumberland, UK.

Expectations on large-scale application:

This generator is a low-cost, multi-megawatt power generator. Once it is verified in mass applications, it will become a new generator technology in UK and will be widely applied throughout the world. Preliminary estimate shows that the direct drive permanent magnet generator can reduce the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) by more than 1%.