Eocycle Technologies Inc

Eocycle Technologies Inc. develops, manufactures and commercializes worldwide the EOCYCLE 25, a state-of-the-art 25 kW direct-drive wind turbine for distributed wind energy applications.

Capitalizing on more than 12 years of internal R&D and prototyping, Eocycle Technologies stands out from its peers by being an integrated technology and manufacturing company.

Eocycle Technologies holds all intellectual property and commercial rights for every key component of its wind turbine, including Eocycle’s patented Transverse Flux Permanent Magnet (TFPM) generator technology, which is capable of achieving – in a smaller and lighter package – much higher torque and power at lower rotational speeds than competing technologies.

Eocycle Technologies relies on a world-class management and technical team which bring decades of complementary engineering, production and utility-scale wind industry experience, and on a network of well-established North American and European partners and suppliers.

The distributed wind energy (DWE) market will enjoy significant growth over the next few years. This market, which will see some 200 MW of capacity installed in 2013, will grow to 1000 MW per year by 2020, for a compound growth rate of more than 26% per year between 2014 and 2020, representing an average annual investment in the order of $4 billion.

The main drivers for the use of DWE are the reduction of energy costs and carbon footprints. The megawatts of installed capacity are represented by various applications, whether connected to the distribution grid or “off grid”. A few concrete examples are outlined below.

• Farms, ranches, greenhouses and vineyards
  Whether for irrigation, handling of materials, heating or lighting, the agricultural sector is highly energy intensive. In addition to the potential financial savings, the agriculture industry opts in many cases for DWE production in order to increase the degree of energy self-sufficiency in its operations. Agricultural activities are often carried out over vast open spaces which are conducive to quality wind regimes (high wind speeds and low turbulence). Additionally, quality wind turbines installed in agricultural regions offer a low visual impact on surrounding areas.

• Residences
  The cost of electricity is increasing from year to year and consumers generally do not foresee a respite in this regard in the medium to long term. DWE production is one of the few options available not only to reduce one’s electricity bill, but especially to protect oneself from potentially excessive electricity rate hikes. Further, DWE production offers added energy security and contributes to “making a difference” in terms of the fight against climate change.

• Educational, governmental and institutional sectors
  DWE allows the educational sector to foster an innovative image while offering thought-provoking educational and teaching tools, especially at university campuses, technical colleges and research institutions. For governments, DWE proves to be an opportunity to go beyond mere rhetoric, to set an example and to take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. DWE also serves to forge an image of an avant-garde society while developing a feeling of pride among citizens by means of helping to reduce their environmental footprint.

• Businesses and industries
  Clean, aesthetic and captivating, DWE production allows businesses to attract clientele by helping promote an image of a company that recognizes the importance of reducing its carbon footprint while assuming its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen.

• Rural electrification, remote regions and isolated sites (off grid)
  DWE makes it possible to satisfy the fundamental needs of rural electrification in remote regions, developing countries and/or at isolated sites where electricity is produced by polluting diesel-powered generators.

The EOCYCLE 25 can be applied to any of the above-mentioned applications thanks to its flexibility and adaptability. Further examples of potential applications include:

• Pumping stations, water treatment facilities, parks, arenas, stadiums, museums, and rest areas
• Retail businesses and small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Golf courses, ski resorts, training centres, hotels, and recreational parks

The EOCYCLE 25 direct-drive wind turbine represents the next-generation wind turbine for the distributed wind energy (DWE) industry, bringing the most recent technology advancements of utility-scale wind within reach of small wind customers.

The EOCYCLE 25 wind turbine embodies innovative technologies while delivering a much-desired combination of performance, safety, durability, dependability, minimal maintenance, quiet operation and flexibility. As a result, the hassle-free Eocycle 25 generates the best return on investment among all wind turbines in its class.

Safe and Durable

The EOCYCLE 25 has been designed and tested according to the most stringent standards and to be the safest and most durable small wind turbine available on the market. Its robust construction allows it to be installed in higher wind regimes and to withstand gusts of up to 59.5 m/s (133 mph). Safety and durability characteristics of the EOCYCLE 25 include:

• Redundant rotor overspeed protection and fail-safe emergency disc brake
• Integrated protection against lightning
• 20-year design life in accordance with the IEC 61400-2, Wind Class II standard
• Marine-grade corrosion protection on all components
• Independently-tested carbon and glass fibre / epoxy resin composite blades that will last and procure stable performance under repetitive cyclic loading
• Standard safety devices on nacelle, tower climbing system and work platform and all electrical cabinets
• Design and construction similar to most advanced utility-scale wind turbines
• Certification to AWEA and BWEA standards (in progress, testing to be completed in November 2013)
• Conforms with all applicable European Community directives (CE marking)
• Power inverter certified to UL and CSA standards
• Best-in-class components exclusively manufactured in North America and Europe

Hassle-free

The EOCYCLE 25 offers the highest reliability and costs less to maintain, thanks to its simple direct-drive design and top-quality components. Considering that gearboxes represent the main source of costly maintenance and unproductive down-time, the gearless EOCYCLE 25 brings unprecedented reliability and durability and eliminates significant issues related to the gearbox such as oil changes, premature failures and overhauls. Other EOCYCLE 25 features include:

• Maintenance-free Eocycle permanent magnet generator
• Maintenance-free flexible coupling to protect the generator against damaging loading
• Maintenance-free fixed-pitch blades (no tip brakes, blade pivots, servo motors, or slip rings)
• Self-condition monitoring, automatic shut-down in case of an anomaly
• Automatic unwinding of tower cabling
• Well proven industrial ABB power and control electronics requiring minimal maintenance
• Functionality and durability certified to AWEA and BWEA standards (in progress, testing to be completed in November 2013)
• More environmentally-friendly thanks to substantial reduction of oil usage and handling

Quiet and Aesthetic

Given the proximity of small wind turbines to buildings and inhabited areas, the EOCYCLE 25 was engineered to be the quietest wind turbine in its class and to be aesthetically pleasing. It stands out from other small-scale turbines by its:

• Low sound power levels certified to AWEA and BWEA standards (in progress, testing to be completed in November 2013)
• Very moderate variable rotor speed range (30 to 90 rpm)
• Aerodynamically efficient blade profile
• Gearless direct-drive design
• Active upwind design and no uncontrolled furling
• Robust and aesthetic fibreglass nacelle shroud

Best Return on Investment (ROI)

To achieve the best possible ROI, a wind turbine needs to be productive and reliable throughout its entire lifetime. In other words, it has to deliver kilowatt-hours continuously and efficiently. Maintenance costs and repairs also need to be kept to a minimum. The Eocycle 25 offers the best ROI over the long term as a result of a number of unique aspects that most other small wind turbines do not incorporate:

• Built-in adaptive electronic power management that allows:
  • Constant monitoring of wind conditions as well as turbine performance to produce the maximum amount of energy under all conditions, including turbulence and change of wind direction with minimum stress on the turbine as a whole
  • Operation when positive energy production can sustainably be achieved, and automatic shut-down when wind conditions exceed safe operating conditions
  • Automatic shut-down in event of grid failure, and automatic return to normal operation once grid is back online
• Upwind / active-yaw configuration that allows for the setting of the rotor in less turbulent airflow than downwind designs and its regular re-orientation into the most favourable wind direction – in the same manner as large utility-scale wind turbines – in order to maximize energy production
• Integrated power electronics that yield superior end-to-end electrical efficiency and power quality
• Reduced scheduled maintenance that results in cost savings of 35-60% on an annual basis in comparison with competing products as well as less unproductive down-time
• A simplified design, lower rotor speeds and reduced mechanical stresses that inherently result in greater reliability, lower operating costs and less down-time
• Power performance certified to AWEA and BWEA standards (in progress, testing to be completed in November 2013)
• Wide selection of tower heights and types to suit site conditions

Flexible and Adaptable

The EOCYCLE 25 offers numerous characteristics to adapt the turbine to your needs:

• 3-phase or single-phase output voltage, 50/60 Hz, 208 to 600 VAC
• Crane-less installation version
• Arctic version allowing operation down to -40°C (-40°F)
• Variety of tower sizes and configurations: fixed monopoles between 24 and 36 m (80 to 120 feet), tilt monopoles between 18 and 30 m (60 to 100 feet), and fixed lattice between 38 and 45 m (125 to 150 feet)
• Software reconfigurable controls, remote monitoring and diagnostics
• Historical and instant data reporting tools

The EOCYCLE 25 is unique on the distributed wind energy market and will meet the needs of the most demanding customers while serving in numerous on- or off-grid applications, including:

• Farms, ranches, greenhouses and vineyards
• Residences
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Governmental and institutional facilities including office buildings, pumping stations, water treatment facilities, parks, arenas, stadiums, museums, and rest areas
• Retail businesses and small- or medium-size enterprises (SMEs)
• Golf courses, ski resorts, training centres, hotels, and recreational parks
• Rural electrification for developing countries
• Isolated sites and remote areas where diesel-powered generation is used for producing electricity (‘’wind-diesel’’)

Eocycle offers hassle-free wind turbines with the lowest cost of energy. Based on design and manufacturing experience gained since Eocycle's founding in 2001, today's wind turbines use cutting-edge technology with the fewest moving parts and superior-quality components. Owners can count on reliable, low-cost electricity for 20+ years. The EO25, EO20, and EO10 are Eocycle's flagship wind turbines. Rated at 25kW, 20kW, and 10kW respectively, they are used by farmers, schools, communities businesses, and others to generate energy on-site.