Objectives:
To expand the European drive train technology mix by including superconducting and magnetic pseudo direct drive generators in order to improve the reliability, to reduce the tower top mass of large offshore turbines at P = 10-20 MW and to reduce the influence of a heavily fluctuating world market of the Rare Earth metals. Performance indicators (weight, size, efficiency and cost) will be used to assess the different technologies in collaboration with WP1 and WP5. Hardware demonstration of the superconducting technology targeted at a 3 MW direct drive turbine and a magnetic pseudo direct drive generator targeted at a 250 kW power range will be performed by leading European industry (Siemens Wind Power and Magnomatics).