Abstract
The evolution of a novel permanent magnet (PM) generator topology is described in the paper. It has the significant potential to be lighter than conventional PM machine topologies, making it attractive for direct drive applications in wind, wave and tidal current generators. The philosophy of the generator concept is based upon reducing the structural mass by eliminating large unwanted magnetic attraction forces that exist in all conventional iron-cored electrical machines . A comparison with an existing commercially available rotary PM generator for a 100kW turbine is presented to show the potential of the new topology