Variable Speed Generator

Variable Speed Generator - Efficient Power Across the Operating Range

Variable Speed Generator

WE Tech’s Variable Speed Generator produces electrical power while the connected machinery operates at changing speeds. Permanent-magnet technology forms the core of WE Tech’s variable-speed generator offering. Its lightweight and compact construction delivers high efficiency throughout a wide speed and power range while keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum. Solutions based on synchronous and asynchronous generator technologies are also available for different vessel and system requirements.

Combined with WE Drive™, the system converts the generator’s variable-frequency output into electricity that matches the vessel’s onboard network. This allows nominal voltage and frequency to be maintained independently of the main engine or generating-set speed.

Generator Technology for Different Applications

Permanent-Magnet Generator

Surface-mounted permanent magnets create the generator’s magnetic field without rotor windings or a separate excitation system. This results in almost zero excitation losses in the rotor and supports high efficiency across a wide operating range.

The simplified construction requires no excitation machine, slip rings or static exciter. Fewer components make the generator less complex and support greater reliability with minimal maintenance requirements.

Direct-Drive Permanent-Magnet Shaft Generator

In direct-drive shaft-generator applications, the lightweight rotor helps minimise the generator’s influence on the propulsion drivetrain. Lower weight and inertia reduce loading on propeller-shaft bearings and limit the impact on torsional vibration behaviour.

The compact construction also reduces cooling requirements and service-space needs compared with legacy electrically excited shaft-generator technology.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Technologies

WE Tech also offers solutions based on synchronous and asynchronous generator technologies. This provides flexibility when selecting the generator concept according to the vessel’s machinery, electrical architecture and application requirements.

Integration with WE Drive™

A generator operating at variable speed produces electricity with a changing frequency. WE Drive™ converts and controls this output so that nominal voltage and frequency can be supplied to the vessel’s electrical network independently of generator speed.

From Variable Speed to Stable Onboard Power

A conventional generator connected directly to an AC network must normally maintain a fixed rotational speed to produce electricity at the required frequency. This can restrict how the connected engine or propulsion machinery is operated.

Variable-speed generation separates machinery speed from the electrical frequency required by the vessel. Mechanical power drives the generator at a speed suited to the current operating condition, while WE Drive™ converts the resulting variable-frequency electricity into stable power for the onboard network.

In generating-set applications, this allows engine speed to be adjusted according to load instead of following a fixed-speed curve. In shaft-generator applications, electrical power can continue to be generated as main-engine and propeller speed change. The machinery can therefore operate more freely across its intended operating range while the vessel continues to receive electricity at the required voltage and frequency.

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Benefits of WE Tech’s Variable Speed Generator

Greater operating flexibility by allowing generator speed to follow the requirements of the connected machinery instead of remaining tied to a fixed electrical frequency.
Stable power for the vessel as WE Drive™ converts the generator’s variable-frequency output into electricity that matches the onboard network.
High efficiency across a wide operating range when permanent-magnet generator technology is used, supported by almost zero excitation losses in the rotor.
Compact size and lower cooling requirements with the permanent-magnet design, as reduced electrical losses also mean less energy is converted into heat.
Simplified construction and minimal maintenance because the permanent-magnet generator requires no rotor windings, excitation machine, slip rings or static exciter.
Generator technology matched to the application through permanent-magnet, synchronous and asynchronous generator options.

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