Tag “bearing-service-life”

When a bearing approaches the end of its service life, it may seem logical to replace it with a new one. This has been the attitude in the wind energy sector for many years. But things might be about to change as remanufacturing bearings offers organizations the chance to become more competitive and boost uptime.

Bearings are responsible for ensuring wind turbines keep on turning. They are active in numerous parts of machinery and play different roles. Therefore, there is a wide variety in every turbine. What are some of the key bearings and how are they used?

Sometimes a deal can seem too good to be true. When it comes to bearings this is often the case. Unfortunately, there are many counterfeit bearings on the market. It may not be an issue that consumers are aware of or give much consideration. However, the consequences of purchasing fakes can be disastrous. But what are the dangers?

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.

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.

Big data is taking its hold on the 21st century. We are seeing its prominence in all areas of society. But the wind power sector seems to be somewhat behind. Why is this, and how can big data contribute to the industry achieving its ultimate goal of improving the levelized cost of energy?

When managing spare parts stock, companies face a significant challenge: maintenance requirements vs. financial resources. This can be a difficult task as mismanagement of either can have serious consequences. So what can operators do to ensure they have this under control?

Maintaining wind turbine reliability is one of the main challenges facing the industry. Without correct lubrication for key components, there is always the risk that operation could grind to a halt. Fortunately, there are various options available to help avoid this.

China is a leading nation in wind energy. However, the country is currently experiencing the challenge of finding qualified specialists for maintenance and servicing of turbines. SKF talks to Ni Da from Chenghai New Energy Tech Ltd. for insights on the current situation in China.