BEW Engineering has grown into an
internationally recognized multi-discipline team of
engineers, designers, and technicians providing
engineering consulting services and performing
research and development in electrical power
systems for emerging energy resources. Founded
by electric utility and renewable energy veterans
Michael Behnke, Bill Erdman, and Chuck
Whitaker, the firm specializes in distributed
generation, renewable energy systems (primarily
wind and photovoltaics), power electronics and
power system planning. Our projects range
from distributed energy resources connected at
the distribution level to bulk power generation
interconnected at transmission voltages.
Our clients are leading companies in the electric
power industry both domestically and abroad,
and include:
• Investor-owned electric utilities and public
power agencies
• Wind turbine, photovoltaic module, and
inverter manufacturers
• Wind and PV project developers
• Renewable energy project financiers
• State and federal government agencies
• National Laboratories
• Other professional services providers (legal,
insurance, engineering, certification)
Our resources include a team of over twenty
engineers, designers, and technicians with combined
experience in renewable and distributed generation
in excess of 200 years. Working out of our San
Ramon, California offices in the Bishop Ranch
Business Park, our staff includes California-licensed
professional electrical and mechanical engineers. We
utilize adjunct specialty support on a regular basis
from long-standing colleagues in related areas that
can be called upon as needed. We are licensed and
experienced users of industry-standard software
tools for a wide range of applications including
transmission and distribution planning, production
modeling, solar energy resource and PV performance
modeling, electromagnetic transient analysis, and
computer-aided drafting. We maintain a hardware
prototyping facility in nearby Pleasanton, California
to support our design and engineering services
to equipment manufacturers. In addition, we are
equipped with specialized test equipment, such as IV
curve tracers, to support field testing activities for our
clients.
WIND ENERGY
ENGINEERING CONSULTING
SERVICES
Our affiliations include proud membership and
active participation in the following industry
organizations:
BEW Engineering, Inc.
2303 Camino Ramon, Suite 220
San Ramon, California 94583 USA
+1 (925) 867-3330
www.bewengineering.com
ENGINEERING
Better Energy for the World
TM
Engineering Consulting Services
ENGINEERING
WIND ENERGY SERVICES
BEW provides a wide range of consulting
services to wind energy technology and project
developers. The company emphasizes traditional
electrical engineering disciplines including rotating
machines, transmission planning, and collection
system design. We have unique experience
and capabilities in power electronics, drivetrain
development, electronic pitch systems, turbine
control algorithm development, and intellectual
property development. Our company is recognized
as a leader in these fields with a history dating back
to some of the earliest commercial variable speed
turbines.
RECENT PROJECTS
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2004-2005:
Conceptual design study and cost of energy evaluation
for application of medium voltage electrical systems
to multi-megawatt wind turbines. Evaluated a range
of generator and converter topologies and voltages to
optimize cost of energy.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2003 to Present: Conceptual design, cost study, detailed design and testing
of electrical drive train components for new wind turbine
gearbox, generator, and converter concept. Participate
in failure analysis, cost reduction, and product improvement processes.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Global Energy Concepts, 2005-2006: Led electrical drivetrain design and testing activities for new wind turbine gearbox
and generator concept. Research was funded through
the US Department of Energy’s WindPACT program.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2006 to Present: Performed patent claims analysis and assisted in licensing
negotiations. Assisted client with enhancement of its
OUR SERVICES
• Wind Turbine Component Analysis, Design and
Prototype Construction
• Transmission Interconnection Studies (Power Flow,
Short Circuit, Transient Stability)
• Domestic Standards Compliance Assessment for
Foreign Manufacturers of Wind Equipment and
Components.
• Intellectual Property Strategy and Development
• Renewable Energy Project Feasibility and Economic
Assessment
existing intellectual property portfolio, and provided training to
client’s engineering staff on IP protection.
Wind Turbine Power Converter Manufacturer, 2004: Performed converter failure analysis and re-designed gate drive
board to improve reliability.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2008: Advised overseas client
on adapting existing wind turbine product to comply with North
American codes and standards.
Wind Project Developer, 2007: Provided wind industry intellectual property training to developer’s staff. Information was
used to effectively negotiate IP terms in wind turbine supply
agreements.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2008: Designed and constructed
prototypes of various electrical components to be used in client’s
new wind turbine model slated for market introduction in 2010.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2007-2008: Modeled and analyzed wind turbine manufacturer’s current product to determine
design changes necessary to comply with latest FERC low
voltage ride-through requirements.
• Equipment Model Development for EMTP, PSLF,
PSS/E Analysis Platforms
• Wind Power Converter Design and Prototyping
• Wind Power Plant Collection System Design
• Development of Project-Specific Technical Data for
FERC LGIP/SGIP Interconnection Requests
• Renewable Energy Grid Integration Studies
• Domestic and International Industry Standards
Development (IEC, IEEE, UL)
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2008 to Present:
Conceptual design, bill of material development, and
economic studies for new wind turbine being designed
for wind “cluster” applications connected at distribution
voltage.
Wind Turbine Power Converter Manufacturer, 2007:
Participated in converter cost reduction efforts for
second generation of manufacturer’s product.
Wind Turbine Manufacturer, 2007: Developed PSS/E
dynamic model of client’s SCADA-based wind plant
voltage regulator. Generated user documentation for
existing wind turbine PSS/E model.
Wind Turbine Component Manufacturer, 2007-2008:
Reviewed existing component thermal management
system, recommended modifications to improve thermal
margins, and participated in successful implementation
and testing of improved solution.