Bearing the burden – The leading causes of wind turbine bearing failures
Wind turbine functionality is highly reliant on fully operational bearings. However, these components undergo significant strain and deteriorate. Fully understanding failure modes in turbine bearings can be a challenge. But there are ways to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns.
Digitized inventory – Optimizing spare parts management with software
Many operators order replacement parts on an item-by-item basis. This can be effective but does have limitations since the performance of the total system is not understood when considering items in an inventory individually. Innovative software may hold the key to fine tuning stock levels and expenses on spare parts and ensuring wind farms always have just what they need.
Striking designs – Unique wind turbines that stand out from the rest
Not all wind turbines are created equally. While most people are familiar with the appearance of a wind turbine, there are some designs that break the mold. In this article, the Wind Farm Management Blog looks at some of the world’s most interesting turbines.
Bridging the gap – Overcoming workforce challenges in wind energy
The wind energy sector is experiencing significant growth. As a result, the demand for qualified personnel is also rising. However, positions are often difficult to fill due to the high levels of expertise required. What can the sector do to deal with this skills gap?
Taking the environmental LEED – SKF test center rewarded for eco-friendliness
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a global green building certification system. Since 2010, SKF decided to construct all new buildings in compliance with LEED. It has kept its word and was recognized with the gold certification status for the Sven Wingquist Test Center in Schweinfurt, Germany.
Wind energy event trends – What’s creating a storm at trade fairs and exhibitions?
Trade fairs have long been a prominent format for promoting new products in the wind energy sector. But they appear to have hit a bit of stumbling block. Prices to exhibit are high and there is no guarantee of success. Nonetheless, they still have an important role to play. Here is a rundown of the current situation.
A smart approach to spares – Harmonizing a maintenance and spare parts strategy
Planning maintenance and having the right inventory is often a challenge. Operators can end up with too much capital invested in stock or not enough to perform repairs in a timely manner. However, adopting best practices and the emergence of Logistics 4.0 present clear opportunities for cost reduction.
Interview: A year of opportunity – What can we expect from wind energy in 2018?
2018 looks like being a big year for wind energy. With technology continuously improving and operators looking to become more self-sufficient, the current situation is looking bright. So what major trends and developments can we expect this year? Dr. Philipp Schmid, Energy Marketing Manager at SKF, explains.
Floating in the wind – Scotland opens the world’s first floating wind farm
Despite wind energy production becoming more efficient, many wind turbines are still situated in locations where conditions are not optimal. An increasing number of offshore sites improve the current situation by utilizing the stronger winds at sea. However, in some parts of the ocean, fixed turbines are not viable. The solution? Floating wind farms.
