Feasibility Study for the Commercialisation of a Ferrite-Based Permanent Magnet Generator for the UK Onshore Wind Market

The purpose of the project is to conduct a Feasibility Study (phase 1) on the development of a multi-MW generator for the UK onshore wind market. The intention is that when customer requirements are confirmed that GreenSpur will submit a phase 2 application to develop and demonstrate the multi-MW generator. This will result in a new UK generator technology researched, developed, built and tested by a new and high value UK supply chain. The outcome will be of strategic benefit to the wider UK economy, as the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted global supply chains, stalled the deployment of UK wind turbines and exposed a long-term UK reliance on European OEMs. The development of the generator in phase 2 will act as a steppingstone to the UK offshore wind turbine market. GreenSpur's proposed solution is: 1) Highly innovative, as it uses raw materials that are cheaper and more sustainably sourced than this used in current state of the art technologies. 2) Practical and deliverable, as phase 1 will assess and confirm a customer specification and phase 2 will engage with a motivated UK supply chain to develop a confirmed market requirement. 3) Cost competitive solution, as it uses ferrite magnets, which are abundant and cheap, in substitution of a rare earth ones, which are scarce and expensive. 4) A sustainable innovation that will be supported by a new and environmentally clean UK supply chain. The project will address the UK Government's "decarbonising energy, business and industry" theme contained with its Clean Growth Strategy, as GreenSpur's generator has been designed to produce low cost renewable energy from wind turbines. This stated aim of "Ensuring the UK is the Best Place for Low Carbon Innovators" to operate. Consistent with this objective, GreenSpur's generator technology will (1) reduce the cost of offshore wind energy and (2) support the UK's ambition to become a global leader in low carbon innovation. Adopting this approach will leverage private sector investment, create strong international partnerships and create export opportunities. Two secondary themes to the project are: 1) Enhancing the benefits and value of our natural resources, which is achieved by the substitution of rare earth magnets for ferrite within the generator. 2) Climate change adaption and mitigation, which is achieved by increasing the amount of renewable energy generated to offset carbon emissions and contribute to the UK Government's net zero by 2050 target.