Tag “circular-economy-recycling”

Wind turbines are spinning, clean energy is winning, and the industry is racing full speed ahead. But as the momentum builds, bearings wear out, shafts take a beating, and downtime costs money. Fortunately, with the right approach, many worn components can be restored instead of replaced.

As the world’s largest producer and user of wind power, China is expected to face a wave of decommissioning in the coming years. Wind turbines installed in the early 2000s are reaching the end of their lives, and it remains to be seen how the country will handle the dismantling and disposal of these units. The first step has been made.

Bearing replacement is inevitable over time, however, there is a more economical and sustainable option — remanufacturing. We have previously explored the concept and its benefits, and in this article, we outline the steps involved in the process.

Wind energy is generally considered an environmentally friendly energy source. However, the practice of discarding retired wind turbine blades in landfills casts a shadow on its green credentials. The good news is that energy companies have found and continue to seek more sustainable options.

Wind turbines consist of many materials including steel. The steel industry is one of the sectors that emit the most CO2 and is anything but environmentally friendly. The time has come to change that.

Every part of a wind turbine is recyclable... almost. One of the few components that pose a problem are rotor blades. To help tackle the issue, researchers from companies all over the world are trying to find a solution, and it might not be so long until they do. On top of that, it could be that other industries benefit too.

The digital exhibitor platform at WindEnergy Hamburg was unfortunately cancelled at short notice this year. For all parties still interested in accessing the exciting content from SKF, we are writing up the work that would have been showcased in real time at the trade fair. In this, the first article of a two-part series, the focus is on the topic of sustainability. How can wind turbines become more environmentally friendly?

In 2019, wind energy continued to expand, with new offshore installations making headlines in the media. Additionally, sustainability and environmental responsibility were also in the spotlight. These were just some of the trends that shaped the last year. Dr. Philipp Schmid, Group Marketing Manager at SKF, explains.

Reducing downtime with careful maintenance planning is key to success for wind farm operators. Sustainability should also influence operation and maintenance strategies to help make wind energy an even greener sector.