Power Generation

Energy generation applications require smooth operations which can ramp up and down to meet fluctuating demand day in, day out. This is where we come in. Our gears, motors and drives provide precise, energy efficient control for a range of mechanical processes

The increasing global demand for electricity, partly fuelled by the significant rise in electric vehicle usage, means power providers are under pressure to deliver a constant supply 24/7/365

From durable and efficient drive trains which power fans that ensure effective heat exchange in cooling towers, to high efficiency AC and PM motors used in Pitch Drives and Yaw Drives in wind turbines, our products drive power generation applications to help ensure a continuous supply for consumers throughout the EMEIA region.

From the Paramax SFC cooling tower fan drive to the Hansen M5CT industrial gearbox which is purpose-engineered for wet cooling towers, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of precision gears for power generation applications. With over 20,000 cooling tower installations completed by Sumitomo Drive Technologies companies worldwide, and large industrial gearboxes serving wind, hydro, and thermal generation, our gear solutions are designed to deliver consistent, reliable performance in the most demanding environments.

Wind turbines use a variety of motorised mechanisms to transform the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. These include systems for the precise positioning of blades and the intricate requirements of the nacelle, the ‘brain’ of the wind turbine which uses yaw and pitch control to extract maximum energy across varying wind speeds while protecting the turbine from overspeed in stormy weather conditions. 
Our motors are able to move blades up to seven metres in diameter in a controlled and silent manner. They are equipped with an on-board drive and electronic speed and position control to ensure smooth acceleration and braking. 

The Yaw Drive is the motorised system that allows the nacelle of a wind turbine to be positioned correctly, optimising the amount of energy that can be obtained. The motors powering the cogwheel that moves the nacelle in relation to the base which it is mounted on must ensure precise movement and position stability.

Our permanent magnet motors with IE4-IE5 efficiencies combine the perfect balance of efficiency and weight reduction required in offshore applications. Controlling the motor with a variable frequency drive allows for accompanied acceleration and braking, and reduces wear and tear on the motor. We also offer brake motors that stop the movement of the wheel in the defined position without being moved by the wind.

The Pitch Drive enables the tilting of the wind turbine blades and optimises the amount of energy created from the wind.
The motors powering the cogwheels at the base of each blade's movement must ensure maximum precision and locking of the required position by resisting the wind.

Our HPS solution, a permanent magnet motor combined with an encoder or resolver for precise positioning of the motor, is compact and lightweight - guaranteeing braking precision and accompanied acceleration.

Controlling the speed of electric motors used in a range of power generation applications plays a vital role in achieving the operational longevity and low-maintenance requirements demanded by this challenging industry. 

Ensuring smooth starts and stops helps to minimise wear and tear on motors, regulating water flow prevents excessive pressure from building up, and optimizing energy consumption brings both financial and environmental benefits.

Our variable frequency drives (VFDs) are widely used to adjust fan and pump speeds in power generation applications including:

Cooling Tower Fans & Circulating Pumps
VFDs adjust fan and pump speeds based on the ambient temperature and plant heat load - ensuring optimal cooling while minimizing auxiliary power use.

Boiler Feedwater Pumps
VFDs are used to regulate water flow into the boiler to match steam demand. Adjusting the pump speed prevents excess pressure and saves significant amounts of electricity.

Draft Fans
Forced Draft (FD) and Induced Draft (ID) fans push combustion air into the boiler and draw out flue gases. VFDs replace restrictive mechanical dampers - drastically reducing power consumption and wear from harsh gases.

Gas Turbine Starters
VFDs are used to softly spin up gas turbines to ignition speeds prior to firing - protecting equipment from high inrush currents.
 

Our specialist expertise allows us to combine precision gears, motors and drives into bespoke motion control solutions, engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the most challenging power generation applications.

The huge heights of wind turbines, the moisture-laden conditions of wet cooling towers and the proliferation of corrosive gases and fume mean motion control products must be able to withstand the harshest environmental conditions and deliver continuous performance day in, day out.

Our products do just that. From cooling towers, to water and wind turbines – our integrated drive solutions are used in thousands of power generation installations around the world.

Put our power generation expertise to work for you.