In July 2017, the Sven Wingquist Test Center was opened in Schweinfurt, Germany. The aim of this project was to improve current testing software and standards and to develop more reliable large-size bearings. The facility is up and running and providing the wind power industry with a unique service.

An increasingly volatile climate and powerful winds are an endurance test not only for people, but also for machines. But what would appear to be a disadvantage could actually be a significant opportunity for an entire industry – at the very least for those whose wind turbines can withstand extreme conditions.

Wind energy is becoming increasingly important to our society. As a result, the industry is changing – and so is the market and the opportunities that it presents. We take a closer look at emerging market trends in wind energy and what implications these might have.

Save the date: On September 27–28, 2017, the Quo Vadis conference will be taking place in London. At the event, SKF will give a presentation to explain how optimized spherical roller bearings for wind turbine rotors benefit the industry.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs represent a large portion of expenditure for wind farm operators. Failure to implement an effective strategy may result in increased costs or machinery failure. For this reason, it is important to take a statistical approach.

In order for a wind turbine bearing to be as effective and durable as possible, it must be tested thoroughly. This is not always an easy task, with few facilities having the capabilities to put large-size bearings through their paces. SKF recently built and opened the world’s most powerful test center for this purpose.

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.

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.