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.
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