VESCONITE RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energy – saving the planet one kilowatt at a time. 

With the drive for clean energy, a multitude of specialised material requirements have emerged, including a requirement for low friction, environmentally-friendly and low to zero maintenance bearings, bushings, and wear components. Vesconite is the ideal solution for this requirement.

Bushings and bearings in the Renewable Energy Industry are characterised by requirements for very long bearing life (20+ years) and low maintenance due to very limited accessibility. In many applications, such as in hydro turbines, pumps, and wave and tidal devices, the bearings are constantly exposed to or submerged in water as well. Loads are typically very large and speeds low, for which Vesconite is ideal. Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube are ideal for such applications due to the low friction and long wear life characteristics of the material. Vesconite is internally lubricated and therefore eliminates the need for greasing. It also exhibits no water swell, which prevents shaft seizure and allows machining to closer tolerances, resulting in slower wear and more efficient operation.

Common Renewable Energy Applications

BENEFITS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

Vesconite Hilube has a low co-efficient of friction.

Vesconite Hilube does not require lubrication.

Vesconite Hilube does not swell or distort in
water or when exposed to moisture.

Vesconite Hilube is easy to install.

Vesconite Hilube reduces running costs.

Vesconite Hilube does not corrode.

MATERIAL COMPARISON

When comparing Vesconite Hilube to other polymers, a tidal energy producer reported that the Vesconite Hilube bushing had no problem sustaining loads, shock loads or vibration.

Internally lubricated, Vesconite Hilube does not require complex and environmentally-detrimental lubrication systems. Bearings can run dry or utilise water lubrication.

Exhibiting no swell or creep, Vesconite Hilube is the ideal low-maintenance bearing solution for marine and submerged renewable energy applications.

Vesconite Hilube is homogenous and dimensionally stable, not suffering from laminate-associated problems such as bearing delamination or fluctuating friction coefficients.

The ease of fitting Vesconite Hilube bushings when compared to traditional materials assures a cost saving in terms of machine downtime.

Vesconite Renewable Energy Case Studies
Vesconite Bearings is taking strides towards sustainability and environmental responsibility by implementing a comprehensive solar energy solution at its Free State-based factory…
A hydro turbine company based in Portland, Maine, USA, has chosen Vesconite Bearings’ lowest-friction material for the thrust bearings on its free-stream turbines.The material, Vesconite…
Vesconite Bearings is the newest member of the 130-organisation-strong International Windship Association (IWSA), following its acceptance in August into the non-profit organisation…
A large wind turbine manufacturer continues to use Vesconite Hilube actuator bearing supports in its wind turbines’ hydraulic blade pitch control systems.…
A large-diameter six-meter lathe is expected at Vesconite Bearings’ South African factory in the next few weeks. The lathe will be able to machine extra-large-diameter bearings, which are in demand for marine mining, container ships, oil tankers, and equipment used to generate renewable power from tides, waves and currents.
An aeration windmill manufacturer in the US has found that installing Vesconite bearings on its windmills leads to them to operate smoothly…
Two mounted ocean-powered turbines were generating electricity in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2016 using Vesconite Hilube plates that make up large bushings.…
Vesconite Bearings is proud to be associated with tidal energy equipment developer Norwegian Ocean Power, which successfully trialled its Pulsus horizontal-axis spiral-design…
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