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The reliability of bearings has a profound impact on wind turbine operating costs. But as the parts are often subjected to a wide variety of operating conditions, they may fail when they are pushed beyond their limits. In fact, in the past, as many as 80 percent of wind gearbox failures were caused by faulty bearings. Here are the top four main failure modes.

SKF helps the wind industry produce more energy. In this episode of SKF BeyondZero TV, racecar driver Jeff Burton visits a wind farm and a turbine manufacturer to see SKF solutions in action.

Alongside new technologies and business models, modern trends like digitization and the Internet of Things are producing unprecedented amounts of information. This phenomenon – known as big data – is having a profound impact on almost every industry. And the wind energy sector is no exception.

Whether onshore or offshore, in a desert or on a mountain, wind turbines are exposed to harsh conditions. Around the world, SKF lubrication solutions help operators to improve system reliability. Discover the benefits.

China is experiencing a wind energy boom. In 2016, the country added 23 GW to its installed wind power capacity, reaching a total of 168 GW. This solidifies its position as the global leader in wind energy. However, when it comes to servicing the nation’s tens of thousands of wind turbines, maintenance companies face considerable challenges.

As governments seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the importance of wind as a renewable energy source is growing. In 2016, 54.6 GW of wind power was installed around the world, bringing total global capacity to 486 GW. However, much of this sum comes from turbines approaching the end of their lifespan. Their owners face a dilemma: repower or extend life?

In almost every part of the world, wind power is gathering pace. It’s time to take charge and develop new solutions, reduce LCOE, and improve operational excellence – at the SKF Wind Farm Management Conference.

Bearings are among the most essential components in wind turbines. If a fault occurs in a turbine bearing, it could result in significant financial losses for everyone involved in the wind power supply chain. A major breakdown could cause widespread disruption, affecting the energy supply of a large organization – or even an entire region. Keeping these parts performing efficiently and reliably is therefore of utmost importance.

In the wind power industry, each hour a turbine remains out of operation equates to an hour of lost revenue. Minimizing downtime is therefore a top priority for everyone involved in the sector. Keeping turbines running requires knowledge, care, and vigilance.