Vermont Busness MagazineNorthernPower Systems Corp(TSX:NPS), a next generation renewable energy technology company based in Barre, has announced that substantial technology-driven operational improvements to its flagship Northern Power 100 kW wind turbine platform have been demonstrated to materially decrease the delivered Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of wind power produced by its turbines.
"The current LCOE makes the Northern Power platform even more affordable for farmers, local businesses and on-site generation users trying to limit the ever increasing cost of electricity," said Reinout Oussoren, VP of Global Sales. "Small wind is now an even more viable alternative for comme rcial and industrial users."
As highlighted in recent news fromBloomberg New Energy Finance, LCOE for renewables, including distributed wind and solar, continues to decrease while the same measure for fossil fuel increases. The LCOE -- which includes the capital, operating, and any financing costs of an NPS 100 kW wind turbine over a 20-year+ operating life -- has reached parity or better with electricity purchased from the grid.
"When installed at locations with an average 6.5 meter per second wind speed," Oussoren added, "a typical wind turbine installation will deliver energy costs of approximately 8 cents per kilowatt hour, with a Return on Equity (ROE) of up to 14 percent and payback in just over 5 years. If a customer leverages its purchase with 70% debt at a commercial rate of 7%, the ROE can exceed 30%."
Distributed generation is most effective for local businesses and farmers that wish to benefit from natural resources in their location in order to offset high electricity prices and lock in the cost of electricity. Wind turbines perform best where there is more wind, but even in areas with lower wind speeds, by combining wind and solar, one is able to complement the variations in natural resources and deliver an effective and stable local generation alternative.
To learn more about how you can benefit from Northern Power Systems' distributed generation products, including integrated microgrid solutions, please visitwww.northernpower.com.
About Northern Power Systems
Northern Power Systems designs, manufactures, and sells wind turbines and power technology products, and provides engineering development services and technology licenses for energy applications, into the global marketplace from its US headquarters and European offices.
- Northern Power Systems has almost 40 years' experience in technologies and products generating renewable energy.
- Northern Power Systems currently manufactures the NPS™ 60 and NPS™ 100 turbines. With over 8.5 million run time hours across its global fleet, Northern Power wind turbines provide customers with clean, cost effective, reliable renewable energy.
- Patented next generation permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) technology uses fewer moving parts, delivers higher energy capture, and provides increased reliability due to reduced maintenance and downtime.
- Northern Power Systems' FlexPhase™ power converter platform uses patented converter architecture and advanced controls technology for advanced grid support and generation applications.
- Northern Power Systems offers comprehensive in‐house development services, inc luding systems level engineering, advanced drivetrains, power electronics, PM machine design, and remote monitoring systems to the energy industry.
- Some of the world's largest manufacturers license the company's next generation technology and IP for their utility and distributed wind products and markets.
BARRE, VT--(Marketwired -December 09, 2015) -Northern Power Systems Corpwww.northernpower.com.