Electricity is produced as the wind pushes the blades of the wind turbine round. The ideal wind speed for wind turbines to maximise electricity production is 33 miles per hours. However, the wind turbine must be properly lubricated and maintained to effectively handle this speed without causing damage to the components.
As demand for wind energy increases, technological advancements and improvements are increasingly made to wind turbines and blade repair engineering. These developments also require steps in the lubrication used for the wind turbines. If we continue building our wind energy capabilities, we need wind turbines that can keep up and require less invasive maintenance and repairs (which demand the turbine to stop).
New fluid technologies may enhance tension coefficients, energy efficiency, film thicknesses, and temperature reductions. In addition, the end-use of these lubricants can be further improved by the addition of performance polymers (PP).
Most wind turbines use industrial gear oils. These must meet various credentials if they are to be used in wind turbines, and leaders in the industry are now partnering with lubricant manufacturers to improve current synthetic oils. In addition, several businesses are now experimenting with adding performance polymers to industrial gear oils to create a more stable, efficient, and cost-effective alternative.
Blade repair engineering and maintenance work typically involve approximately seven years of oil drain intervals. However, this timeline may change depending on turbine condition and functionality and will likely change in the future as advancements are made in wind turbine lubrication. Click here to read Altitec Impact Report 2021.
