Wärtsilä launches next-gen Medium Voltage Power Drive

Wärtsilä has launched its new Medium Voltage Power Drive, enabling the delivery of electro and automation systems for large electric-propulsion vessels such as drilling rigs and tankers, passenger ships and offshore service vessels, as well as compressors and pumps for the oil and gas industry.

The Medium Voltage Power drive is especially designed for marine applications, while the previous units in this range were first developed for land-based applications. It has been developed with special attention to personnel safety, while the modular design allows easy installation and maintenance. With the new power drive, Wärtsilä will be able to offer medium voltage Low Loss Concept (LLC) solutions with increased efficiency and redundancy, which in turn leads to lower fuel consumption and reduced operating costs. It can also enable the possibility of having less power installed, thus benefiting customers by reducing both capital and operational expenditures.

Development work began in 2009 and has been carried out at Wärtsilä's R&D facilities in Norway. Pilot sales are scheduled to begin this year, with an internal pilot to be installed in early 2013 and an external pilot later in that year.

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