Chinese OEM and U.S. bearing manufacturer team up for turbines
August 16, 2011 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Bearings, Wind Power News
Some Goldwind turbines will ride on Timken bearings. This direct drive unit is in Minnesota.
The Timken Company and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. have signed a memorandum of long-term strategic collaboration in the United States to cooperate on a range of technical services, products, and aftermarket support for the development, supply and maintenance of advanced wind-turbine components.
The memorandum’s three-year term extends and broadens an existing relationship between the two companies, with opportunity to multiply significantly their current collaboration. To support these efforts, Timken will develop additional capacity in China and at its other facilities focused on wind energy technology to support Goldwind’s expansion globally.
The memorandum reflects the highest level of collaboration between the companies, including the following Timken capabilities:
- Original-equipment design and engineering services;
- Testing at Timken’s new Wind Energy Research and Development Center scheduled to open in 2012
- Supply of bearings and adjacent power-transmission components
- Optimization of wind-turbine installations
- Field services and aftermarket lifecycle support for Goldwind’s growing installed base, including on-line intelligence monitoring systems, and
- Integrated supply-chain management and wind-farm sustainability services.
Goldwind and Timken executives said the memorandum reinforces their commitment to develop sustainable wind energy projects to strengthen the global balance of green power generation. The companies began collaboration on 1.5 MW wind turbines. In 2010, they signed an agreement valued at $26 million supporting development of additional, multi-megawatt projects.
Goldwind
www.Goldwindamerica.com
Timken Co.
http://www.timken.com/
Semikron and Goldwind partner to grow the Chinese wind energy market
September 3, 2010 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Connectors, Wind Power News, Wind Watch
With rated currents of up to 3,600A, the SKiiP4 module is the most powerful IPM available. It is one third more powerful than a SKiiP3 version with the same mechanical dimensions. SKiiP4 modules are ideal for use in wind and solar power applications and others with power ratings of 400 kW to 1.8 MW. The company says the units have five times the thermal-cycling capability as conventional modules.
A Chinese wind-power company, Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd, has agreed to purchase advanced electrical equipment from Germany-based, local manufacturer Semikron China. The intelligent power modules and complete Semistack power electronic assemblies will come from Semikron China. The power modules, called SKiiP, are optimized for wind-power applications. Semikron says the modules are the most powerful intelligent power modules on the market capable of a long service life. In addition, Semistack power assemblies boast a high power density of 12 kW/liter and a flexible modular design.
For comparisons, the SKiiP4 power packs are said to deliver up to a third more power than the SKiiP3 modules. The latest versions have been improved for a maximum rated current of 3,600 A at a maximum voltage of 1,700 V. A 1,200-V version of the SKiiP4 is also available. This order further seals the business partnership of Goldwind and Semikron (offices in Hudson, NH), which provides equipment for the growing Chinese wind energy market.
Goldwind is one of the first enterprises in China focusing on innovative research and manufacturing for wind turbines. Since 2000, the company has had an average annual growth of 100% for the last ten consecutive years. The company was one of the top five global suppliers of wind power generators with a market share of 7.2% of the newly installed wind power capacity in 2009.
“It is an honor to be the supplier for Goldwind,” says Lixin Ren, managing director of Semikron Greater China. “Semikron technology powers nearly half of the globally installed wind-power capacity and Goldwind is one of the top five wind turbine manufacturers in the world. Our goal is to establish a long-term business relationship providing the most efficient technology and best service beneficial to both companies.”
“The state-of-the-art technology, reliable product quality, and professional technical support of Semikron met our high standard of requirement,” says Goldwind Supply Chain Manager Kai Wu. “Semikron`s experience in stack design and production gave us confidence that we can work together and achieve long-term success.”
China has the world’s largest wind power capacity. In 2009, 13.7 GW of wind power was installed thereby more than doubling the cumulative installed capacity in a single year, which has now reached 25.8 GW (Source: BTM Consult ApS, March 2010).
Semikron adds that its technology powers nearly half of the globally installed wind power capacity. According to a survey carried out by BTM Consult ApS, the total wind power capacity installed until 2009 was 122 GW, with 57 GW comprising semiconductors from Semikron. In 2009 the company formed a 50/50 joint venture with Magna Electronics to develop and produce inverters and chargers for electric and hybrid vehicles.
Semikron
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Timken wins $26 million wind-energy contract
July 29, 2010 by KRemington
Filed under Bearings
The Timken Company says it has received a contract worth $26 million to supply wind turbine products and services to China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Company.
UltraWind bearings combine a large tapered roller bearing with integrated seals, lubrication, and condition monitoring. With the highest life ratings in the industry certified by Germanischer Lloyd, the UltraWind Series provides a cost-conscious, simplified drivetrain for main-shaft wind turbine designs (gear and gearless).
The contract will support more than 1,500 MW of new wind power capacity. Timken will contribute to Goldwind’s expansion in the industry, with Timken providing engineering support, advanced bearings that include its new UltraWind tapered roller bearings, and condition-monitoring systems and services for Goldwind’s current 1.5-MW and 2.5-MW platforms. The companies also will collaborate on future wind-turbine developments.
In 2009, Goldwind received new wind-power-capacity orders of about 2,722 MW, accounting for nearly 20% of wind generated power added in China last year. The company will purchase bearings and gearbox systems for its multi-MW wind turbines. The company’s purchase includes seals, lubrication, and online condition monitoring and support services for the life of the equipment.
Christopher Coughlin, President of Timken Process Industries says the companies have agreed to collaborate further on development programs, including using Timken’s advanced engineering design to reduce cycle times for new platforms and incorporating the company’s “life cycle” service approach to contribute to sustainable performance and uptime of Goldwind’s projects around the world.
Timken supplies a range of wind-power products for the global market including: engineering design, development and testing support; alloy steels; gearbox components and systems; tapered, cylindrical, and spherical roller bearings; seals and lubrication products; online condition-monitoring; and global field services and technical support.
The company recently began producing large bore bearings for wind turbines in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, and retooled and expanded its U.S. facilities in Asheboro, N.C. and Tyger River, S.C. to serve customers in the industry.
