Sustainable, CO2 neutral, green energy, self-sufficient, emission-free; terms that are impossible to imagine today's society without. These themes are directly related to wind turbines. Think not only of the large wind farms along motorways and in landscapes, but also of farms, greenhouse builders or recreational parks. By building special, small wind turbines, such businesses can generate their own required electricity and be completely energy-neutral. Permanent magnets are essential for generating power in wind turbines. The right choice of magnet determines the efficiency and maintainability of the wind turbine.
Strong NdFeB magnets for efficient turbine rotor
The wind turns the rotor blades of a wind turbine or wind turbine and converts this movement into electricity via a coil and magnet. The nacelle contains the most important part of the wind turbine: a large dynamo or generator that converts the rotor's spinning movement into electricity. Magnets move in the coil, generating electricity. For a wind turbine with a power of one megawatt, you need about 1,000 kilos of magnetic material. With Neodymium magnets, the weight is significantly reduced. An additional advantage of magnetic bearings is that mechanical friction is virtually zero. This makes it possible to design turbines that already start spinning at very low wind speeds, at which traditionally bearing turbines do not yet start up. Sufficient for a farm, greenhouse or leisure park, but in some cases even for a number of nearby households.
Magnet calculations provide insight into the right choice of magnet
The right choice of magnet is very important for the capacity of the generator. We support wind turbine builders in making this choice. This is done mainly in the early stages, by performing magnet calculations and by testing. Neodymium magnets are the strongest, but there are various qualities or grades to choose from. The better the quality or grade is, the more power can be generated. Something to keep in mind is that for optimal output, the air gap between magnet and coil should be as small as possible. Otherwise magnetic flux and thus energy is lost. Of course, our NdFeB magnet components for the wind energy sector fully comply with the strict requirements for size and operation and have been thoroughly tested by our own quality engineers. We find that wind turbine manufacturers want flexibility in calling off the large volumes of magnet material. Therefore, we have various options for keeping stock and delivering magnets on call.
Special magnet coating protects against external influences
Under normal circumstances, Neodymium magnets retain their magnetic force for life. However, external influences can reduce the magnetic force. Based on these influences, we can protect the NdFeB magnets with various coatings, making them more resistant to weather influences and also reducing the need for maintenance. Here, too, we offer many possibilities and are happy to think along with you!
More information? Please use the contact form