First on the grid Woodward Kempen

With nearly 40 years of research and development into solar modules under its belt, Panasonic has an extensive knowledge in what is seen by many as a modern solution to providing sustainable energy. In 1975, global technology giant SANYO started its research and development programme into amorphous silicon solar cells, with this division becoming part of Panasonic in 2011 and taking the name Panasonic Eco Solutions Energy Management Europe (PESEMEU) in 2012.

Today, PESEMEU is able to provide one of the key elements of sustainable energy solutions – solar photovoltaic solar modules using their unique HIT solar cells. Known as one of the best solutions for saving energy thanks to its very high efficiency and excellent real-condition performance capability, HIT PV is set to play an important role in the distributive energy mix of the future.

Business developer Daniel Roca told Industry Europe how PESEMEU is leading the way in this rapidly developing field. He said, “PV technology is increasingly important and, as an experienced player in the PV industry, we are able to really add value to the PV market. Here at Panasonic we are very excited about the future of the PV market because PV in a grid parity situation has been at the centre of our strategy for decades. Our experts can see the incredible potential of solutions combining PV and other consumer, managing and storing devices to locally generate and consume electricity, relieving the electricity grid and securing a high level of comfort while at the same time respecting the environment and contributing to significant long-term cost savings on the energy bill.

Understanding Europe

PESEMEU is primarily focused on the consumer PV market. Mr Roca continued, “Of course, there is great potential for the PV market across sectors, from large-scale corporate projects to urban property development projects, but our particular focus is the European domestic sector. Our core aim is to help private property owners to reduce their energy bills by installing a PV-based solution.”

Working to a classic business model with distributors across its active markets throughout Europe, PESEMEU particularly supports its network of registered premium installers in all key markets. Providing suitable training, marketing support and other relevant factors, the company has a clear route-to-market due to its excellent long-term relationships with its distributors and installers. This ensures that its PV solutions are both installed and maintained with optimum

efficiency, which results in higher levels of sustainability and customer satisfaction.

Mr Roca added, “It is important to mention that we currently are a pure PV-component business; we only sell PV modules.”

However, Mr Roca continued, “The reason we adopted the name Panasonic Eco Solutions in 2012 is that we plan to move on to offer complete solutions. Not only is this more effective for final customers, but it also means that we can more closely manage our offer. Our goal for the very near future is to move from a components-only business to a complete solutions business, and we are already in the process of preparing to make this happen.”

Growth through added value

This added-value strategy that will characterise PESEMEU’s next few years is in perfect balance with the ever-changing demands of the PV industry. Mr Roca pointed out that information regarding real-time own consumption of energy is increasingly sought by domestic consumers in particular. He said, “People want to know how and when they’re using energy; when they can use their own generated power and how they can manage their consumption to increase their autarky. They realise that feeding into the grid becomes less and less attractive and are excited about the idea of self-sufficiency, or getting close to that. There are a lot of complex issues but, as we have such a long history in PV innovation and development, we are perfectly positioned to optimise the opportunities that go along with solving these issues.”

PESEMEU’s strategy will continue to see it focus on the European domestic market, with particular opportunities identified in the stable market of the Netherlands. It also intends to re-energise its previously-strong market Germany and Italy. Mr Roca concluded, “There are a number of important legislative changes coming into force in various active and nonactive European markets, mostly connected to subsidies that will make installing PV solutions more appealing for consumers and small businesses. We are closely monitoring these changes to ensure that we maintain our strong position in the future.” n

FIRST ON THE GRID

Woodward Kempen is a global leader in the design and manufacture of wind turbine converters for onshore and offshore applications. Philip Yorke talked to Ludger Rupp, the company’s global sales director, about its modular power converter systems and growth in the offshore renewable energy market.

Woodward Kempen specialises in the development of renewable power systems (RPS) and is a global leader in the development and manufacture of modular wind power converter technology. The company forms an integral part of Woodward Inc., which was founded in 1870 in Colorado, USA and specialises in the development of integrated technologies for the aerospace and energy industries. Today Woodward’s growth is driven by its commitment to meeting the increasing demand for fuel-efficient, low-emission and highperformance energy management systems. With multiple global locations, Woodward is able to respond quickly to changing market needs by providing optimised solutions tailored to the local demands of its customers. The company is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York and employs more than 6000 people worldwide. In 2012 Woodward Inc. recorded sales of approximately €2 billion.

Optimised power generation systems

Woodward’s expertise in the development and manufacture of renewable energy wind converters is underscored by its established track record. The company provides innovative, tailor-made solutions worldwide and has supplied more than 11,000 wind turbine systems for both onshore and offshore applications. Woodward offers a broad portfolio of products including low and medium voltage, doubly fed (DFIG) and full size converter technology. The company’s latest flagship Concycle® medium voltage converter has been especially designed for operation in offshore wind turbines and provides optimal, high-performance results based upon many years of experience in offshore converter technology. Woodward also produces low voltage DFIG converters and full-size solutions for permanent magnet generators, which deliver optimal reliability and quality in a power-generating system, designed for variable speed wind turbines. The intelligent control of its Concycle® wind converters complies fully with all international grid code requirements.

Woodward is a also technology leader in the field of solar energy solutions and its 1000V solar inverters offer efficiencies of about 98 per cent and a wide, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) that improves energy yield while offering one of the smallest CO2 footprints on the market. Additionally, Woodward offers power electronics solutions for power distribution, energy storage and marine propulsion applications.

Fideltronik is the biggest Polish and leading Electronic Solutions Provider in Central Europe offering Customers End-to-End services. For over 27 years we have been building a company which understands and satisfi es customers’ needs, by establishing long term relationship and offering highest quality and fl exibility.

Fideltronik has been set up in 1986 when its current CEO, Mr. Zbigniew Fidelus, started to design and manufacture measurement systems. The next milestone was the implementation of EMS services in 1995. From the beginning our goal was to offer not only electronics and mechanical assembly, but also complex support on all stages of the product lifecycle, like: concept, development, industrialization, NPI, mass manufacturing, value engineering, after market service and phase out.

The Important milestone in 2006 was a Contract signoff with Woodward Kempen manufacturing site. Currently Woodward has reaffirmed its well-established position as one of the Fideltronik’s TOP3 clients. The performance contributed Fideltronik being ranked as a strategic and long term supplier to Woodward.

Currently, Fideltronik provide a wide spectrum of electronic products to customers all over the world for the industrial, lighting, telecom, automotive and consumer sectors, with the full range from high-mix/low-volume assemblies up to high volume manufacturing. We offer highest fl exibility that adjusts to fl uctuations in volume demands, cost targets and delivery requirements. A manufacturing process is fully managed according to Lean Manufacturing Methodology.

Manufacturing facilities are fully supported by engineering and logistics resources, enabling a fast ramp from prototype to volume production. Our big advantage is own Research & Development office employing 40 engineers and Test&Tooling Unit designing and building testers and specialized production tools.

Years of experience as the biggest Polish Electronic Solutions Provider enabled us to develop and offer specialized IT services:

• Software Development – specialized in business applications, rich experience in ERP/MES/PLM systems. Agile. • Component Engineering – professional services for component management. Commercial and Technical information.

Obsolescence monitoring. BOM cleansing. Mechanical modelling. 3D Constructions. • Business Software Implementation and Consulting - focused on Oracle Applications.

Our dynamic crew includes the most talented, creative and highly educated employees coordinated by strong and stable management board, supported by an experienced engineering team what guarantees continuous growth and defines highest standards.

Strategic growth plan is to reach the level of 250M EUR of yearly turnover by the year 2017, what will be possible with the intended acquisition, new production hall of 10 000sqm scheduled to be opened by 2015 and dynamic expansion of high added value services: HW and SW design, engineering, software development and testers building, maintaining the stable increase of the EMS services.

For further information about Fideltronik please visit: www.fideltronik.com or personally visit our company.

No. of employees: 1,500

No. of engineers:

150 Yearly revenue: 140,000,000 EUR Manufacturing sites in Poland: 5 Manufacturing space: 30,000 sqm Number of final products: 3,000 items Number of component managed: 30,000 items Number of products shipped yearly: 12,000,000 pcs Integrated ERP system - Oracle eBS