As an investor in renewable energy, you most likely consider return on investment (ROI) to be a key metric when assessing investments in areas such as wind power. Without a doubt, this can be crucial.
However, what if the 21st century and a shifting international paradigm would demand a new way of examining the viability of wind power shares?
In reality, the world’s transition to renewable energy solutions is complex and fraught with risk. Despite the major shifts, energy decision-makers must plant their feet and take a stance. Not surprisingly, some choose to cling to old problem-solving methods that worked fine during the long period of strategy stability: demand stimulation, base load-plus-peak, centralization, scale, vertical integration, dispatch management, control, confidentiality – and DFIG technology in wind turbines.
A new option in wind power generation
When examining any new capital investment option for renewable energy, you need to think through the various scenarios that may follow a decision. Upfront costs are one consideration. Still, appropriate value must also be placed on the long-term costs. For example, lowering maintenance costs and hedging risk has value. So too does the ability to produce more energy.
In wind power, all these long-term values can be reached by shifting to PMG technology. Forget the outdated thought that paying less now for DFIG is better than producing more wind power tomorrow.
PMG allows wind power generators and utilities to embrace new opportunities at the heart of operations and with better margins. PMG guarantees an efficiency level near 98%, energy production even when wind speeds are close to zero, low maintenance and a very short payback time. Energy is a service that meets a need. Just as the technology needs to change, so too must the service. And that means increasing portfolio options.
Intelligence in selecting the right technology and partner
How can you deal with the changing wind energy system? Intelligently is the answer.
Intelligently means a full-power converter (FPC) with proven low voltage ride-through compliance to match supply and demand in wind power generation. It also means future-proofing the design by switching to a new technology such as PMG.
Intelligently also means choosing the right partner – one who is able to start from scratch with the design and create an energy-optimized drive train. It means selecting a partner who is able to replace the obsolete vertically integrated solution with a partnership agreement.
There is only one company capable of this: The Switch, with its 7000 MW of installed base, is the intelligent choice for coping with the uncertain fluctuation of the wind energy market.
Carlo Cecchi
Business Development Director