Looking back at 2019 – Which trends defined wind energy last year?
In 2019, wind energy continued to expand, with new offshore installations making headlines in the media. Additionally, sustainability and environmental responsibility were also in the spotlight. These were just some of the trends that shaped the last year. Dr. Philipp Schmid, Group Marketing Manager at SKF, explains.
Only the greenest will do – The role of sustainability in maintenance contracts
Reducing downtime with careful maintenance planning is key to success for wind farm operators. Sustainability should also influence operation and maintenance strategies to help make wind energy an even greener sector.
Supply chain transparency – Introducing a new solution for streamlining O&M
With the wind energy industry facing increased competition and decreasing margins, SKF and Boralex have teamed up. Their joint project, called the Wind Turbine Reliability Dashboard, will help predict maintenance requirements and streamline supply chain management, lowering overall operating costs and increasing profitability in the process.
Duty of care – Sustainability challenges in a new era for wind
Wind energy is now an established source of power that is growing year on year. Nonetheless, as wind turbines become older and require replacing, sustainability challenges arise. What happens to these machines and their components when they can no longer be used?
What are the chances? – The next step in bearing rating life calculation
Understanding for how long a bearing will be operational is vital for planning wind turbine maintenance and budget allocation. Therefore, this information is key for operators when selecting the right component for their application. Calculations based on statistical models are used to estimate bearing rating life. In this article, the Wind Farm Management Blog analyzes how this process works.
Wind energy in Africa – Exploring a continent of challenge and potential
The prospect of turning the world’s second largest continent – by size and population – green is more than a little intriguing. As Africa moves toward a goal of universal electricity, the wind industry has an opportunity to shape the future.
The offshore race – How do the US and European markets compare?
Offshore wind energy is increasingly growing in prominence around the world. Stronger, more consistent winds out at sea can generate high volumes of energy, which, in turn, could make wind energy production more efficient. At present, it seems that Europe is ahead of the USA in offshore wind. So, why is this the case, and what do the two regions have planned for the future?
No surprises – The relationship between planning, spare parts, and uptime
At first glance, it would appear vital to stock critical wind turbine components to cover potential breakdowns and minimize downtime. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, due to financial constraints or inadequate storage. But what if stockpiling components wasn’t as important as it appeared? Rather, careful maintenance planning and diagnostics may be the deciding factors for consistent uptime.
Another big step for offshore – Hornsea Wind Farm begins operation in the U.K.
Offshore wind energy is experiencing a boom – with investors and authorities realizing the potential of the stronger, more continuous wind out at sea. And the newly opened Hornsea Wind Farm, located off the English coast, is on course to become the largest in the world by 2020.
