In this final newsletter of the fall season, we talk about the benefits of value–added partnering, list four wicked market twists of 2011 and discuss favorable forecasts for the Year of the Dragon. Most importantly, we wish you a warm, wonderful Holiday Season in 2011 and unrivaled success in 2012!

The Switch came to the market five years ago on a mission to bring better drive train technology to wind power generation that allows more energy per turbine. Our idea was to push the permanent magnet generator (PMG) as the technology of choice because it maximizes energy yields, especially at partial loads. The full-power converter (FPC) too offers the highest-level performance by assuring utility-grade power.

What has happened during these first five years in the market? Practically all of the top 10 turbine manufacturers have selected PMG for their turbines. And the drivers have remained the same: better quality power, more energy and more robust, compact design for PMGs.

The Switch, a leading provider of permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages, told today that it will continue to pursue its successful business strategy as an independent company following the announcement by its shareholders and power technology company AMSC regarding the termination of the previously announced acquisition agreement.

The Switch is well-positioned to continue to serve global wind power manufacturers as a partner of choice with the preferred technology for renewable energy. The success of The Switch has been based on partnerships, and AMSC has become yet another valuable partner for The Switch despite the acquisition outcome.

The Chinese wind power market had been developing extremely fast, surpassing all the other markets in the world. Over the past 12 months, the market has run into various problems: rising rare-earth material costs, connectivity due to lack of fault ride-through (FRT) capability and a new governmental financial policy.

The Switch gives its perspective on whether the Chinese market can recover by solving its current challenges and moving forward.

The Switch, a leading supplier of permanent magnet generators and full-power converter packages, introduced its new full-power converter series today at China Wind Power 2011. The converter is smaller in size, more rugged and fulfills the most stringent international grid codes. It is also ideal for offshore wind power installations.

With this new series, The Switch strengthens its position in the Chinese market, where quality is now valued over quantity, and fault ride-through capability has become the focus.