Engineers from SSE Renewables and Renewable Parts recently joined forces to work on a design change to the Siemens SWT-2.3 turbine’s yaw gearbox to reduce in-service failure rates and turbine downtime.
The collaboration has led to the development of a yaw gear dampening kit which improves how yaw gears work as an integrated system, they said.
The engineering partnership with SSE Renewables’ operations & maintenance team, led to the creation of a fully retrofittable product that is simple to fit, enhances turbine performance, and increase sustainability, the pair added.
Designed to allow easy up-tower inspection, the modification kit can also help technicians monitor product condition while in-service.
Utilising its Innovation Centre, Renewable Parts worked with the team at SSE Renewables to design, develop and test the new kits through a pilot programme.
Successful trials have led to a wide scale role out across the UK and Irish operations, the pair said.
Adhering rigorously to circular economy principles, the design of customised, reusable, packaging facilitates the return of failed yaw gears, which are then remanufactured and retrofitted with new modification kits.
SSE Renewables director of asset management for onshore wind Stuart Hood said: “Sustainability and innovation are at the core of SSE Renewables.
“This project with Renewable Parts epitomises the way we can collaborate to create commercial, environmental and social benefits at the same time.
“By working with local, forward-thinking suppliers like Renewable Parts, we can design out waste and reduce the quantity of new parts required for our operations.
“We can share those learnings with others too.”
“This is exactly the approach needed to move towards a more circular approach, which needs to be a strategic priority for the wind industry as we transition to net zero.”
James Barry, chief executive of Renewables Parts, added: “Developing and delivering innovative solutions that combine performance improvement and greater sustainability lies at the heart of Renewables Parts’ ethos.
“Our collaboration with SSE Renewables demonstrates how likeminded businesses can co-develop products which improve performance and reduce waste.
“Our journey to net zero requires a significant increase to parts reuse as we decarbonise the supply chain.
“This is an excellent example of how partnership between big and small business can deliver fast innovation to meet performance and sustainability goals.
“We look forward to working with SSE Renewables to develop many more solutions over the coming year.”