Page 24: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Nov/Dec 2025)

23 25

TECH INSIGHTS OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE LUBRICATION

FILL-FOR-LIFE:

Wind’s new Standard?

Pushing gear oil limits for lasting performance s demand for wind energy intensifes, turbine lubricants to reduce friction, dissipate heat and prevent reliability and effciency are paramount. In this wear. Since the industry’s inception, advanced lubri- context, lubrication plays a vital - yet often cants have been pivotal in solving key mechanical chal- underestimated - role. Over the years, lubrica- lenges. Initially, standard industrial gear oils were the

A tion technology has been an important problem-solver for norm. However, the transition to megawatt-class tur- the industry. From preventing micro-pitting, to enhanc- bines in the 1990s necessitated specialised lubricants ing cold-temperature fuidity and resisting white etching to prevent the micro-pitting that was threatening gear cracks, lubrication formulators have continually met the life. Later, in the 2000s, installations in cold climates evolving demands of wind power. And now, as extending prompted the need for high-viscosity index basestocks oil drain intervals becomes increasingly integral to produc- with improved low temperature fuidity. This spurred tivity and cost management, we're on the cusp of another the creation of metallocene catalysed PAO (mPAO), breakthrough: “lifetime lubrication”. now the industry standard. A decade on, the emergence

Exxon Mobil’s Michael L. Blumenfeld has been one of of white etching cracking (WEC) drove intensive R&D the team working on an advanced new formulation and to identify and prevent lubricant-related causes, culmi- “top-treat” package, engineered (and DNV-certifed) to nating in formulations engineered to not contribute to offer protection and performance for the lifetime of the the phenomenon. turbine. He advocates for a new approach, where wind tur- Wind turbines really are the ultimate challenge in lubri- bine gear oils are viewed as valuable, enduring assets – to cant formulation - operating in remote and extreme con- be maintained alongside the equipment itself. ditions, with a myriad of moving parts demanding precise

As wind energy demand intensifes, turbine reliability lubrication. For the lubrication industry, this has meant is increasingly critical. Gearbox performance is a major adjusting to staggering torque demands (measured in mil- driver both of operational costs and overall effciency. This lions of Newton Meters in a turbine vs hundreds for a pas- is where lubrication plays a pivotal, but often undervalued, senger car engine) and the need for advanced durability. role, and a recent breakthrough is poised to revolutionize Throughout this process, close collaboration between lu- oil service life and maintenance plans. brication chemists and engineers and OEM design teams has been crucial, as we collectively strived to extend equip- ment lifespan and simplify maintenance processes. Despite

History of Problem-Solving

Every moving component in a wind turbine relies on the obvious differences between the industries, lubrication 24 OFFSHORE ENGINEER OEDIGITAL.COM