- Category: Product News
The new SKF pitch and yaw bearings have special surface treatments to protect against corrosion, and false-brinelling is limited by specially selected grease. A new, automatic lubrication system that distributes small amounts of grease to all lubrication points for up to six months, has been fitted, and this reduces maintenance costs and lubricant consumption. After six months only the central reservoir needs refilling. A patented seal solution avoids grease leakage and water ingress, and withstands ring deformations under load as well as internal grease overpressure. In addition, the bearings have a two-layer coating that provides long-lasting corrosion protection even in severe weather conditions. The SKF range of pitch and yaw slewing bearings are available in different designs: single row and double row four point contact ball bearings. Pitch bearings can be supplied with or without integrated gearing. Yaw bearings can be supplied with an integrated gear ring, enabling direct drive and eliminating the need for an additional gear ring.
- Category: Product News

- Category: Product News
Given the destructive nature of hurricanes, gale force winds and tropical storms it is crucial that potential offshore wind energy projects undergo extensive tests of the site-specific conditions for safety reasons. One of the thirteen chapters of the new "Guideline for the Certification of Offshore Wind Turbines" published by Germanischer Lloyd WindEnergie GmbH (GL Wind) deals exclusively with this site assessment and the resulting loads. The chapter defines the requirements for the determination of loads resulting from the environmental conditions in conjunction with the operational behaviour of an offshore wind turbine. These conditions include peak wind speeds due to storms and rapid changes in wind speed and direction. These extreme conditions include the potential effects of wind turbulence. The offshore guideline covers general testing conditions, safety systems and the requirements for the manufacturing companies. Strength analyses, machinery components and electrical engineering are considered as well as tests requirements, periodic inspections and condition monitoring. So far, a number of projects had already been certified and/or are currently in the certification process according to the new guideline.
- Category: Product News

It is possible to:
o read online values, and view status and historical graphs
o receive online data files from remote locations at your desk: automatically at an internet-connected PC (no telephone line required).
Communication is via a wireless GPRS connection and a small solar photovoltaic module for remote sites. The system is equipped with a Compact Flash memory card for a secure back-up memory. Ekopower also supplies internet data services for easy and fast access to the online data.
Applications for remote monitoring of wind energy projects include:
o site evaluation and feasibility studies (wind speed, direction, etc.)
o power performance evaluation.
Calibration is according to the MEASNET standard and with first class anemometers.
- Category: Product News

- Category: Product News
GE Energy has expanded its 1.5MW series of wind turbines to include the 1.5xle model, designed for efficient operation in weak wind areas. Recently, a prototype of the 1.5xle wind turbine was connected to the grid at the Klondike Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon, to begin its performance testing phase, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. For the prototype 1.5xle unit, a few mechanical adjustments were required to accommodate the larger rotor diameter. The pitch bearing, pitch system, rotor hub and blades, gears and towers were enhanced to meet the higher demands. Test-bed trials for the 1.5xle ran for two months, with successful results. The new machine’s LM 40 rotor blade has been specifically adapted to meet the operational requirements, and also underwent extreme-load and fatigue testing. The 1.5xle series is available with tower heights of 58.7, 80 and 100 metres. The tallest version is also available in solid steel form with no concrete foundation.
- GE Energy introduces 2.5 and 3MW units
- New range of robust rotary encoders
- Nordex N90 Offshore exceeding expectations
- Fluorourethane blade coating from Polytech Services Company
- Vexcel developing solution for offshore wind energy resources
- Second Wind introduces Modbus protocol for nomad data logger
- iXSea sponsors Ampelmann Project
- Roof turbine could slash energy bills
- Life cycle assessment of wind turbines
- HVDC Light from ABB
- The world’s largest wind turbine has been inaugurated
- Technology collaborative tests multi-axis wind turbine