Shell Lubricants has launched a new synthetic gearbox oil for the wind industry that comes with a 10-year warranty, double that of standard industry products.
Shell Omala S5 Wind can help to extend operational uptime by reducing unplanned breakdown and associated costs, the company said.
In cold climates, in particular, improved flow properties support the rapid start-up of the turbines, helping to improve system efficiency, Shell added.
Shell Lubricants in collaboration with DNV GL also commissioned the ‘Investing in Peak Performance’ report, with recommendations on how operators can streamline operational costs and deliver a more competitive total cost of ownership.
With more than 1000 incidents of gearbox failure annually – and each incident costing the businesses between $300,000-500,000 – this can be a costly drain, the report said.
DNV GL director of renewables advisory services Northern Europe Graeme McCann said: “Optimized operations can help boost output and profitability. For example, by taking an approach that focuses on minimising the total cost of ownership of equipment, the paper shows that the operation capital can be significantly reduced through cost-efficient output rather than high up-front costs.”