Wind & Energy
Direct-drive turbines and offshore wind generators powered by high-performance magnets.
Enabling Clean Energy at Scale
Offshore wind turbines increasingly rely on direct-drive generators using NdFeB permanent magnets. These gearless designs improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and maximize energy output in harsh marine environments.
A single large offshore turbine can require 600+ kg of rare earth magnets. As global wind capacity expands, securing compliant supply of Nd, Dy, and Tb becomes critical for project timelines and economics.
Marine reality: magnets must be coated and sealed against corrosion, assemblies must tolerate vibration and shock, and service intervals are long. Programs that align turbine OEM schedules with upstream magnet capacity and finishing lead‑times avoid critical path delays.
Critical Elements
Key Applications
Direct‑drive permanent magnet generators
Offshore wind turbine nacelle systems
Pitch/yaw actuators and condition monitoring sensors
Grid‑scale energy storage (battery materials)
Power conditioning and conversion systems
Industry Challenges
- •Large magnet volumes per turbine (600+ kg)
- •Long project lead times requiring supply certainty
- •Offshore logistics and installation constraints
- •Compliance with renewable energy certifications
Strategic Opportunities
- →Project-specific supply agreements aligned with installation schedules
- →Partnerships with turbine OEMs for multi-year offtakes
- →Recycling programs for decommissioned turbines
- →Dual-source strategies to de-risk supply