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Vancouver-based Xantrex Technology Inc. has received a C$5 million federal government grant to aid in the development and demonstration of an advanced power electronics and control system for wind turbines. The system will form part of a new, fully integrated drive train designed for wind turbines in the 2 and 3 MW class, along with a gearbox provided by Winergy AG of Germany and a generator from Loher GmbH of Germany. "It will improve our strong international position as a provider of a key enabling technology for wind energy," says Xantrex chairman Mossadiq Umedaly. Xantrex's wind converters are installed in about 3000 MW of wind turbines worldwide. The C$5 million grant, provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada, will be disbursed over two years and will cover one-third of the cost to develop and test the advanced power electronics and control system. Xantrex will provide a matching C$5 million from its own resources, while Winergy and Loher will contribute C$5 million to the system integration effort.