USA - Magnetek Aurora 3.6-Kilowatt wind inverters now listed for utility grid operation

Magnetek, Inc. today announced that its Aurora 3.6-kilowatt (kW) wind power inverters have been tested and listed to "UL-1741" standards for operation on the utility power grid throughout the U.S. and Canada. UL-1741 assures customers that Aurora wind power inverters meet demanding utility grid-interconnect requirements, while offering transformerless energy efficiencies ranging from 94 to 97%.

First introduced at the Wind Energy International Trade Fair in Hamburg, Germany last month and certified by Clear Skies - UK (Product Code: WTI 9020) - to meet stringent United Kingdom standards for quality, reliability, and compliance with UK interconnect standards, the Aurora 3.6 kW wind power inverter offers many benefits to wind turbine builders, installers and ultimately, end users. Its revolutionary digital switching technology includes silicon carbide diodes, CoolMOS(TM) and Insulated Gate Bi-polar Transistors (IGBTs), resulting in low switching losses and, thus, highly efficient power conversion (Ac-Dc) and inversion (Dc-Ac).

The Aurora wind inverter's most notable feature is Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which enables it to optimize energy harvested from wind turbines. By means of proprietary MPPT circuitry and software, Aurora can be programmed to increase the energy extracted from the wind power curve (50-600 volts DC) in virtually any wind power system on the market today. MPPT thereby allows wind turbine manufacturers to upgrade their existing wind power systems to achieve the most efficient energy conversion possible.

Other Aurora features include a Wind Interface Box, designed to operate only with the Aurora wind inverters, that provides diversion load control and wind speed feedback. In addition, there is an integral RS485 communication link, as well as an optional RS232 converter that comes with free software for remote monitoring. Based in Chatsworth, California and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Magnetek, Inc. designs and builds digital power products and systems for applications ranging from telecom to alternative energy, wherein energy efficiency and reliability are paramount. The Company operates manufacturing and research facilities worldwide and reported total revenue of $242 million for its 2005 fiscal year, ended July 3, 2005.