The experts have spoken: A survey carried out at the 2017 SKF Wind Farm Management Conference has indicated that the global wind operations and maintenance (O&M) market is expected to grow by around 15% by 2020. Read on to discover what the findings of the poll could mean for the wind industry.

Electrical erosion is a common cause of bearing failure – something that can lead to complications for wind farm operators, such as downtime or reduced productivity. However, there is a cost-effective solution to this. SKF collaborated with a wind turbine generator manufacturer to resolve the issue.

Wind turbines are among the most reliable of power-generating technologies. When they do break down, however, it is often due to poor lubrication of the gearbox bearings. Proper lubrication can keep a turbine operating reliably and efficiently. Finding the right oil – and system with which to apply it – is vital.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs can constitute up to 25% of a turbine’s levelized energy cost over its lifetime. Technology that helps reduce maintenance and downtime is therefore crucial. In the previous article of this two-part series, we examined four of the most common bearing failure modes. This time, we will look at black oxidation – an effective solution to improve operational reliability.

White etching cracks are a symptom of bearing failure. SKF researchers and application engineers discuss how to tackle the challenges and reduce the risk of this failure mode.

Big data is enhancing operations and maintenance (O&M) in the wind power industry. By harnessing insights gleaned from this explosion of information, companies optimize turbines to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Yet as effective as statistical models are, the intermittency of wind is inescapable. This calls for a solution that allows turbines to learn from and adapt to changing conditions autonomously.

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.

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.