Challenges in Blade Bearing Operation
In recent years, the wind energy industry has faced a growing number of challenges related to the condition and durability of blade bearings. These critical components, which connect the rotor blades to the hub of a wind turbine, are exposed to highly dynamic loads during operation. Increasingly, operators and service providers have observed cracks, raceway damage and premature wear across various manufacturers and turbine models, including power classes between 2 and 8MW onshore and offshore. As turbines become older and are subjected to higher operational stresses, the mechanical loads acting on the blade bearings become more complex and variable. This accelerates fatigue processes and increases the risk of unexpected bearing failures.
By Moritz Hemmerlein and Hélène Guillerm, eolotec, Germany
