Wind technology portfolio
Our wind energy portfolio includes a number of projects initiated by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University.
Projects managed by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering include the following:
- The Stormer™ Permanent Magnet Wind Generator is a 6.6 kW generator that is modular, lightweight and easy to install and maintain. It will offer clean, sustainable energy to farmers, rural settlements and businesses. This generator is currently being commercialised by Stellenbosch Wind Energy Technologies (SWET).
- The Sip Permanent Magnetic Generator (S-PMG) relies on a split modular concept which omits the need for a gearbox and power electronic converter. The result is a generator which is cheaper, more reliable and requires less maintenance. SWET hopes to commercialise a 15 kW SPMIG as a second product. However, this technology has applications in much larger wind turbines as well.
- The Magnetic Gear uses magnets to transmit torque between an input and output shaft without any mechanical contact. The lower maintenance requirements of the magnetic gear make it ideally suited to use in sustainable energy generators.
- The South African Antarctic Wind Energy Programme at SANAE IV was initiated by the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University.
Our wind energy technology is dependent on the provision of high quality blades from Aero Energy, a spin-out company based at the University of the North West (where we cooperate closely with Rudi van der Walt). Customised blades are specifically designed for each new generator which means that the establishment of a sound relationship with our blade supplier is paramount.
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