Exhibitors were unfortunately unable to participate in the digital version of WindEnergy Hamburg this year after all. To ensure that SKF Wind’s exciting showcase is not wasted, this article shares some insights into the technologies and data-driven processes which are shaping the industry. How are new technologies and computer-aided processes influencing the industry?

The digital exhibitor platform at WindEnergy Hamburg was unfortunately cancelled at short notice this year. For all parties still interested in accessing the exciting content from SKF, we are writing up the work that would have been showcased in real time at the trade fair. In this, the first article of a two-part series, the focus is on the topic of sustainability. How can wind turbines become more environmentally friendly?

Previously, SKF announced that they had acquired Presenso Ltd. – a company that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI). Adopting data-driven technology presents wind farm operators and OEMs with plenty of opportunity to boost efficiency and reduce costs. So, how does this work in practice?

The phrase “low touch economy” was born out of the Corona crisis. To remain viable during the pandemic, companies have to adapt – even if this means cutting back. But what does that really mean for the wind industry?

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.

In recent years, drones have become much more present in our society. They are used for tasks such as homeland security, shooting videos, and plans are even in place for them to deliver packages. This trend is now coming into action in the wind energy sector.

When a lubrication system fails, it is usually due to a defective pump unit. Replacing this part is significantly cheaper than replacing the system itself. However, you need to get to the root cause of the defect to prevent it reoccurring. In this video, you will learn how to find the cause of an issue and fit a new pumping element.

When a failure occurs in a wind turbine, maintenance tasks can be costly and take time to complete. But what if there was a way to proactively assess costs, risks, opportunities, and benefits to positively impact the levelized cost of energy (LCOE)? Performance-based contracts for operation and maintenance could usher in a new era of reliability in wind energy.

Maintenance programs could be about to get an overhaul. Typically, operators would manage wind turbine performance and maintenance themselves or choose certain aspects to outsource to different providers. Performance-based service contracts may offer a preferable alternative. Raf Kerkofs from SKF is set to present on this topic at Wind O&M EU 2019.