Superior Lubrication Solutions for a ‘Wind-Wind’ Situation

Primary energy demands in India have been growing rapidly in the last few years. Simultaneously, this growth in power demand has been met with a rise in consciousness on energy efficiency. With a slew of global, national and even company-specific targets in place, the world is firmly set on its path of transitioning to lower emission sources of energy. Here, the growth of renewables and the potential that remains is telling – renewable energy capacity in India increased by 250% between 2014 and 2021. A primarily tropical country, India’s focus on solar power has been a driving force; further, today, there is visible interest in augmenting capacities in wind power. Encouragingly, as of November 2021, the country’s total installed wind power capacity was 40 GW, the fourth largest installed wind power capacity in the world.

Finding answers in the wind
Beyond existing capacity, India’s 7,500 km coastline provides rich ground for the country to expand its wind portfolio even further. India aims to achieve 67 GW of wind power capacity by 2022. This is a key target as wind is likely to play a driving role in India’s renewable mix, especially in compensating for lean periods of low sunlight, as we experience in the monsoons.

Though the prime resource, wind, is available abundantly at no extra cost – seamless wind energy generation requires a slew of technologies, including advanced wind turbines, high-quality wind blades, the right lubrication solutions and superior servicing technology to maintain continuity in operations. Here, monitoring the health of Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) is an important consideration. Wind turbines operate under extreme conditions, such as extremely low or high temperatures as well as corrosive environments. It is, thus, imperative to protect the wind turbine gearbox from adversities to ensure smooth functioning and equipment protection for optimal performance. Wind installation sites are often located in remote areas where conducting regular maintenance work is difficult. Further, the turbines themselves are precariously located, which often makes them inaccessible – adding to challenges. Thus, quality lubrication is a pre-requisite for successful wind turbine operations.

Today, there is greater diversity in the nature of turbines, their design and specific lubrication and maintenance requirements. Here, lubricants play a fundamental role in ensuring continuity, reducing downtime and curtailing breakdown. Quality industrial lubricants, wind turbine lubrication services and application expertise can enhance long wind turbine lubrication intervals, minimize unscheduled maintenance, and enhance equipment life and productivity. Leading lubrication providers are today innovating to deliver optimum equipment protection and oil performance in a wide range of conditions, including onshore, offshore, dry or wet, and at high or low temperatures to ensure that turbines keep running at peak efficiency.
 

Innovation in lubrication solutions
Wind power generation capacity in India has increased significantly in recent years. Naturally then, lubricants have become an integral part of machine maintenance with a variety of solutions in turbine oils, gear oils, and greases to ensure superior performance of Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs). The use of superior lubrication extends the life of the gearbox and other critical components, improving oil drain intervals and reducing overall maintenance costs. Regular maintenance of WTGs is essential, with planned maintenance activities of lubricating moving parts – such as gearboxes and bearings – checking connections within the system, and resolving any major issues that may develop. Additionally, there is also a requirement for high-performance turbine oils to mitigate operational challenges in large frame turbines under severe operating conditions. With different types of turbines in use, it is essential to focus on lubricants that guarantee exceptional protection even in extreme conditions, help limit maintenance resistance to micropitting and scuffing, and helps enhance equipment life. Overall, a combination of superior turbine oils, greases and gear oils – complemented by service delivery and upkeep will be key to determining the future of India’s critical wind power sector.

While choosing the correct lubricant is key to turbine performance, ensuring continuous machine operations with minimal downtime is another important consideration. In transitioning economies like India, energy demands are unlikely to decelerate. Duly, empowering power plants in the country towards achieving heightened productivity will ensure overall profitability.

- Deepak Miglani, General Manager - Industrial Lubricants, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd.