Envision Energy, a leading green technology company, has achieved a major milestone in the wind power industry by successfully applying their in-house developed and manufactured sliding bearings on a large scale for the first time worldwide, with zero failures across 500 wind turbines. This achievement marks a technological breakthrough, making Envision Energy the world’s first wind turbine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to achieve independent research, development, and large-scale application of sliding bearings.
Sliding bearings have been a key innovation in the wind power industry, reducing friction and improving efficiency. Envision Energy’s team has spent five years researching, developing, and testing the technology, overcoming technical barriers set by international brands. The company’s success is attributed to their in-house R&D, manufacturing capabilities, and commitment to technological innovation.
The technology has been integrated into Envision Energy’s wind turbine gearboxes, reducing power losses by 20-25% and boosting wind turbine energy output by approximately 0.5%. This translates to significant financial benefits over the turbine’s 20-25-year lifespan. The company’s sliding bearings are designed to improve turbine efficiency, extend lifespan, and reduce maintenance costs.
Envision Energy’s achievement is a result of rigorous testing and verification, with over $14 million invested in validation. The company has conducted comprehensive system-level evaluations, considering turbine load, speed, lubrication, and environmental factors, to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of the sliding bearings.
The company is expanding the use of sliding bearing technology across new turbine models and large-scale deployments, with adoption expected to exceed 90%, aligning with global standards. Envision Energy is also exploring ways to extend their expertise to other key components, such as gearbox sliding bearings, main shaft bearings, and generator bearings, while advancing forward-looking projects related to sliding bearings. The company’s continued innovation drives breakthroughs in core wind power technologies, delivering more efficient and reliable solutions for the global clean energy transition.