maxwell technologies Inc., available from GLYN High-Tech Distribution, announced that a leading European producer of wind energy systems has placed a purchase order for 3 million BOOSTCAP BCAP0350 E “D cell” ultracapacitors to provide backup power for wind turbine blade pitch systems.
Maxwell Technologies noted that the order, which is expected to be drawn down over two years, is for double the quantity of the company’s previous largest D cell order, a 1.5 million-cell order for a wind energy application in February 2006.
The ultracapacitors are used for backup energy storage and power delivery in wind turbines ranging in output up to 2.5 MW.
Each of the turbines’ three blades has an independent braking and pitch adjustment mechanism incorporating a bank of from 200 to 700 BOOSTCAP cells for backup power to ensure continuous operation in the event of a power failure.
“Strong global demand for wind energy systems is driving increased demand for ultracapacitors, and we are pleased that one of the world’s largest and most innovative wind turbine producers has selected our BOOSTCAP products to enhance the performance and reliability of their systems,” the company said.
According to Maxwell, industry sources reported that approximately 11,400 MW of new wind energy generation capacity was installed in 2005, an increase of more than 40% from 2004.
The worldwide installed base now stands at approximately 60,000 MW, and industry sources estimate the value of the wind energy market is expected to exceed US$130 billion over the next five years.
Maxwell noted that MW class installations are expected to account for an increasing share of new capacity, and said that ultracapacitors’ high reliability, robustness and long operating lifetime have now been proven in daily operation over the past three years in wind farms around the world.