Wind power is one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the world. But demand for wind turbines is growing so rapidly that it can take up to two years for manufacturers to fulfil orders.
By contrast, existing wind turbines can be remanufactured and delivered in as little as four months. And at a fraction of the cost of a new wind turbine. Remanufactured turbines can keep wind farms at peak capacity, long beyond their designed lifetime.
In fact, remanufacturing can almost double the return on the original investment by extending turbine life by up to 20 years.
Around 80% of a typical wind turbine is made up of steel components. Various parts can be remanufactured to meet or exceed the original specifications including gearboxes, generators, bearings, and rotors.
Typically these parts need to be repaired after ten to twenty years of service. During the remanufacturing process, all components in the wind turbine are inspected and tested. Those parts which fall below the original specifications are refurbished or replaced.
The remanufacturing process can also be tailored to change the turbine’s output. For example, the latest transformer technology can be implemented in a turbine nacelle to take advantage of improvements in electrical steels. It is also possible to change generator windings, gear size, and even the software driving the turbine to accommodate local conditions or increase energy production.