Power Generation & Renewable Energy
Scaling to Meet the Needs of Innovation
Driven by data centers, electrification and transportation, global demand for energy is growing. These macroeconomic changes are pressuring industries to increase efficiencies, contain costs and accelerate project timelines.
Driven by our customers, who constantly set new demands for mechanical power transmission and industrial motion, our innovation plays an essential role as these industries continue their march toward transforming the way we power the world.
Tackling Some of the Toughest Challenges On Earth
Wind: Extending life cycles
Wind farms transfer the raw power of the wind from turbine blades to a generator. To do it reliably under some of the most challenging conditions on the planet, maintenance-free powertrain solutions are essential.
The Timken® Tapered Double Inner (TDI) main shaft roller bearing extends lifecycles and improves performance for some of the largest turbines in the world. We also offer automatic lubrication systems designed for wind turbines, as well as high-speed couplings and torque limiters. When it’s time for routine maintenance or critical repairs, our highly trained service technicians provide reliable on-site support.
Solar: Tracking the sun to capture its power
Solar fields must maximize exposure by tracking the sun using precise gearing systems, but vibration from high winds can wear a gear set down quickly. To keep energy costs low, gears must maintain their stability and precision for decades at a time.
We’ve emerged as a leader in advanced solar tracking systems. Cone Drive® slewing drives and double-enveloping worm gears equip many of the world’s largest utility-scale solar power plants. They expertly manage shear, bending and torsional stresses caused by wind — helping prevent structural damage and premature equipment failure.
Tidal & Wave: Solving for rough seas with innovative manufacturing processes
Ocean waves can be a reliable energy source for coastal communities, but until recently, pioneers in this sector faced two major obstacles: equipment damage caused by rough seas, and the high complexity and cost of manufacturing solutions that work.
Rollon developed a ball screw that’s changing the calculation for tidal energy. The massive screw, supporting up to 8,000 kilonewtons, acts as a mechanical actuator to compensate for tidal variation cycles, keeping wave energy converters in optimized positions in the water. To develop this technology, Nadella engineers drew on their deep knowledge of manufacturing processes and developed special tooling capable of machining components of this scale.
Innovative Power Gen Products
Timken® Tapered Double Inner (TDI) Mainshaft Roller Bearing: Making wind energy more viable
As wind turbines grew to gigantic proportions, the spherical roller bearings (SRBs) used for the mainshaft failed more quickly. Axial thrust transmitted to gear drive components caused them to wear down, as well. Turbine manufacturers turned to us for a bearing that could replace those failed bearings and extend turbine life.
The TDI Mainshaft Bearing is the result of that partnership, offering extended bearing life and improved system performance for three-point mounted wind turbines. It’s designed as a drop-in replacement for mainshaft spherical roller bearings (SRBs), using existing housing.
A preloaded TDI mainshaft bearing significantly reduces skidding and smearing damage and edge loading common with SRBs. Because there’s less wear and debris, the bearing lasts longer. TDI bearings also increase system rigidity, reducing axial thrust into the gear drive by 67 percent — which also reduces bearing wear and extends gear drive component life.
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