WEICan tests new lube technologies in wind turbine applications

The Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan), a non-profit research institute located in North Cape, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and ExxonMobil have agreed to test new and innovative lubricant technologies for wind turbine applications and technology designed to monitor lubricant performance.

WEICan and ExxonMobil’s collaboration will focus on improving performance and cost efficiency of turbines by analyzing performance-based data. ExxonMobil lubricants will be tested in real-world conditions and results will be shared with turbine manufacturers and power generators to analyze the lifecycle benefits of next-generation lubricants for wind power.

WEICan is enthusiastic about taking part in this new venture, said Scott Harper, WEICan’s CEO. “We are excited to work with ExxonMobil, a well-established company whose products we have been using for years as lubricants in our turbines,” Harper said.

Developing sustainable solutions

“ExxonMobil’s continued collaboration with research organizations like WEICan supports the development of sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Mike Kerby, VP of Lubricants Technology, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering. “This technology has the potential to improve reliability and reduce the total cost of ownership for wind turbine operators, increasing the competitiveness of the wind industry as a whole.”

Mobil’s new grease and oil lubricant formulations for wind turbine applications are designed to address a number of challenges that wind farm operators are experiencing by improving gear and bearing life, withstanding extreme temperature ranges, and reducing downtime. Partnering with WEICan will enable the further development and understanding of how lubricant conditioning and monitoring can help improve the reliability of wind industry equipment.

Advancing development of wind energy across Canada

This collaboration aligns with WEICan’s mandate of advancing the development of wind energy across Canada through research, testing, innovation, and collaboration. WEICan’s 10 megawatt Wind R&D Park, located in North Cape, Prince Edward Island, is open to other institutes, academia, and industry to be used as a test laboratory.

“WEICan is a research institute whose role is to collaborate with the public and private sector to research, test, and validate new technologies,” Harper said.

WEICan has been leading the development of wind energy across Canada through research, development and demonstration; technical testing and consultation; and outreach since it was formed in 1981.