ExxonMobil has been at the forefront of developments in the wind energy sector for over 30 years, championing best practice from the advent of the industry to its current burgeoning growth. The company understands the challenges equipment builder engineers and wind farm operators face.
ExxonMobil’s superior lubrication products and services can help to cost-effectively maximise wind turbine productivity by improving equipment performance and reducing the need for maintenance.
Proven in the wind sector
Mobil Industrial Lubricants, a flagship brand of ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, has firmly established its reputation within the global renewable wind energy sector for its accomplishments in research and development, close collaboration with the industry decision-makers and excellence of service. The Mobil-branded synthetic lubricants are specifically formulated to overcome difficult operating conditions associated with offshore and onshore wind farms.
Engineer-friendly technology
ExxonMobil’s global network of application engineers work from the initial design stage with turbine builders and other key component manufacturers to ensure the appropriate lubricant choice, depending on specific operating conditions. To develop its range of high-quality lubricants, the company’s lubricant technologies undergo vigorous laboratory and rig testing before field trials commence.
ExxonMobil’s synthetic lubricants and technical expertise has a proven track record of operating effectively in some of the most demanding applications. This includes the largest turbine models that are designed to feed energy to extensive power grids, with rotors up to 400ft in diameter, churning up to six megawatts of electricity. As wind turbines are often situated in remote environments, either onshore or far out to sea, there is no such thing as a simple oil change or routine maintenance. Given these increasingly challenging operational conditions, ExxonMobil recognises that maximising equipment performance and durability is one of the most essential requirements for success.
Growing customer base
Last year over 300 new wind turbines have chosen the protection offered by the high performance gear oil, Mobilgear SHC™ XMP 320. This latest milestone is an example of why many of the world’s top wind turbine manufactures recognise Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 as their initial-fill gear oil of choice. With extensive builder approvals, it lubricates more than 40,000 wind turbines worldwide, including four of the latest offshore wind farms in the North Sea – Alpha Ventus, Bard 1 Offshore, Trianel Windpark Borkum and Thornton Bank.
Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 can exceed the performance of traditional mineral oils by extending the interval between oil changes from 18 months to five years. In addition, it is designed to excel in the most demanding environments and temperatures. These benefits help wind farm operators minimise both maintenance and unscheduled downtime, reducing employee health and safety risks associated with more frequent used oil change and equipment failure.
Fully integrated portfolio
ExxonMobil’s offer goes beyond its portfolio of cutting-edge products to address lubrication holistically. Its application-based counsel and technical guidance enable customers to make informed decisions about lubricant selection and performance. For example, to help operators navigate the broad portfolio of Mobil-branded oils and greases, ExxonMobil created Looble, a user-friendly, online industrial lubricant selector that provides targeted product recommendations with performance ratings based upon users’ specific industries, applications and equipment.
In addition, to help wind farm operators maximise productivity and extend oil drain intervals, ExxonMobil recommends incorporating an oil and equipment condition monitoring programme, as part of a proactive approach to maintenance. ExxonMobil’s SIGNUM service was designed to help address any potential lubricant and equipment issues before any unscheduled downtime occurs. To obtain the greatest benefit from oil analysis, it is imperative to work closely with an expert lubricant manufacturer and participate in oil analysis typically every six months.
For more information about how ExxonMobil can help your business, visit mobilindustrial.com, Looble.com or contact your local ExxonMobil representative.
