Get the most out of your wind turbine data. Find out how SKF WindCon, SKF @ptitude Observer, and SKF Remote Diagnostic Centres help you prevent downtime, improve maintenance planning, and reduce operating costs.

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?

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.

Servicing wind turbines can be a complex task where many factors could lead to failures. Each machine is made up of thousands of components requiring care and observation to make sure that they operate effectively. Carsten Andersen, CEO of the Danish Wind Power Academy, provides seven tips to enable reliable and effective wind turbine maintenance.

As the wind energy industry grows and technology develops, so too do the challenges that operators face. Effective asset management is crucial for enabling a wind farm to run as efficiently as possible. Cloud solutions allow engineers to keep their maintenance under control and operate productively.