NPS 2.3: better bottoM LINE

Your wind power project’s success is dictated by the bottom line.

The Northern Power 2.3 maximizes project success by delivering a competitive installed cost, fewer forced outages, rapid serviceability and lower operating cost. Your NPS 2.3 will generate more power, more of the time, for a better bottom line.

• Higher efficiency
• Less O&M
• Better wind farm ROI
• Greater Power Curve

Competitive Installed Cost: The NPS 2.3 has the same tower top weight as conventional gearbox driven turbines and is 30 percent lighter than wound rotor direct drive wind turbines. This means the NPS 2.3 can be installed with the same size crane and similar foundation as traditional, comparable sized wind turbines resulting in a competitive installed cost for your wind power project.

Less Wear and Gearless Design = Fewer Forced Outages: The NPS 2.3 PM generator spins at 10-15 revolutions per minute (rpm) versus 1,000+ rpm of conventional gearbox driven wind turbine generators. Lower speed means less wear and tear on bearings and other critical components. Also, with no gearbox the NPS 2.3 will never be down due to gearbox failure. This high availability equates to a greater ROI and higher power curve for your wind power project.

Designed for Serviceability = Lower O&M Costs: The simple and elegant gearless design of the NPS 2.3 drive train extends the planned maintenance interval to just once per year, half of the planned maintenance needed for conventional wind turbines. Less planned maintenance, coupled with rapid serviceability afforded by an integrated service lift and onboard crane results in less, and lower operating and maintenance costs.

"Over 80% of the profit warnings in the wind turbine manufacturing industry have come from gearbox issues, primarily malfunctioning bearings but also unforeseen issues with various gearbox designs."

– Merrill Lynch Wind Industry Overview,
Here Comes Pricing Power, August 2007