Putting wind lubricants to the test, 33 stories high
Adapted from Original Article By: Exxon Mobil
Developing the next generation of wind turbine lubricants requires researchers to constantly monitor equipment on the ground and up above. ExxonMobil and WEICan are collaborating to do just that.
“A lot of people don’t realize how important lubricants are to keeping wind turbines running,” said Marianne Rodgers, the Scientific Director at WEICan. “All of the moving parts, from the outside blades to the interior equipment, rely on an oil or grease to operate.”
Lubricants minimize friction between parts, meaning less energy is required to keep those parts moving. Less friction also helps equipment last longer because there’s less wear and tear – which is good news considering that when turbines that are shut down for maintenance, they can’t produce energy
Advancing next-generation lubricants helps support the growing wind industry. By developing lubricants that increase the time between maintenance intervals and extend the equipment life, there is the potential for less waste and more power generation.
“We have decades of experience in the lubricants space,” said Gary Dudley, a technology manager at ExxonMobil. “Meanwhile, WEICan owns and operates their turbines, giving them a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations. And they’re a highly respected research organization within the industry. By collaborating with them, we’re combining our respective areas of expertise so that together we can help advance the wind energy industry.”
*Nothing in this material or videos is intended to propose, describe, or create, nor shall it be deemed to propose, describe, or create, in law or in equity, any participation by ExxonMobil in a partnership, agency, fiduciary relationship, or joint liability with the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan). The term partnership in the video is merely for convenience and simplicity to connote the research collaboration between ExxonMobil and WEICan.
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