We turn wind into energy

According to the calculations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, wind power systems release the lowest amount of CO2 equivalents per generated kilowatt hour of electricity over their lifecycle.Renewable energies are the key to sustainable power generation. Wind energy plays an important role in this regard. According to the calculations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, wind power systems release the lowest amount of CO2 equivalents per generated kilowatt hour of electricity over their lifecycle.

Custom-tailored high-performance products from Evonik play a prominent role both in the production of durable rotor blades and in the operation of wind turbines. Accordingly, they make an important contribution to environmentally friendly energy production around the world.

On a global scale, the trend is toward ever larger systems to capture more and more wind. A study by the European Wind Energy Association projects that rotor diameters will reach 252 meters with a nominal output of 20,000 kW by the year 2020. Given this size, special focus will be on the rotor blades of wind turbines, which ensure the conversion of wind energy to mechanical energy. Over their service life of ten or more years, these blades must withstand extreme weather conditions, including exposure to sun, storms and rain – at speeds of up to 400 kilometers an hour at the wing tips.

The high-performance products of Evonik make that possible. VESTAMIN^® is a cross-linking agent for liquid epoxy resins in the rotor blades that was developed to make the rotors extremely robust and long-lasting and to lower the absorption of moisture. NUFLUX^™ technology for industrial gear oils bears the approval from major gearbox and bearing manufacturers. It provides outstanding seal compatibility, micropitting protection and gearbox cleanliness. NUFLUX^™ enables operation and maintenance companies to extend oil service intervals, therefore reducing maintenance cost and downtime AEROSIL^® and the bonding agent Dynasylan^® further optimize the mechanical properties as well as the aging resistance of rotor blades in wind turbines, which is a particular advantage for coastal offshore installations. Due to the constant wind, these systems are exposed to high wind speeds, while the salt-laden air creates a harsher climate and more difficult environmental conditions than at inland facilities.