United States Department of Energy Selects Princeton Power Systems to Develop a Converter for MW-Scale Wind Turbines

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Princeton Power Systems (PPS) announces a $1.8M grant award to accelerate development of its Distributed Generation Transformer^TM and E-QUAD Power Flow Control^TM technologies for large wind turbine applications. The award is through the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office Xlerator program.

Combining a megawatt-scale converter topology with a high-frequency nanocrystalline-core transformer and silicon switching devices will result in a unique power converter that will control the generator, condition power, and transform it to transmission-level voltages in a single package. This will significantly reduce the overall size and cost of the power conditioning system while increasing the conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the multi-port E-QUAD Power Flow Control^TM architecture can incorporate energy storage to provide grid support functions including frequency regulation, low-voltage ride-through, and giving wind farms access to full capacity credit. The technology will significantly reduce the cost of balance of plant components like transformers and enable new generator technologies to get to market faster.

“Development and deployment of these power conversion technologies is aimed at facilitating higher penetration rates for on and offshore windpower by removing grid integration barriers,” said Darren Hammell, Executive Vice President of PPS. “Our team is excited by the Department of Energy’s decision to help us accelerate this program.”

While originally developed for the early-stage tidal and wave power markets, the technology can have a more near-term impact on the more established and larger windpower markets. Many states in the US, including New Jersey, are undertaking significant investments in increasing on and offshore windpower generation over the next decade.

Princeton Power Systems

Princeton Power Systems, founded in 2001, is a manufacturer of advanced power conversion products and alternative energy systems, with patented electronics that provide a more reliable and cost-effective means for converting electric power cleanly and efficiently. The company has solutions for renewable energy, distributed power generation, and military applications. Princeton Power Systems products reduce energy consumption, lower peak electric usage, and provide clean, renewable energy sources with superior performance.

US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office

The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Reservation is home to world-leading research and manufacturing park, with major federal programs in the areas of science, environmental management, nuclear fuel supply, reindustrialization and national security.