Sliding Bearing Technology Breaks Through in Wind Power Sect

Publication Time：2026-01-08 21:38 [ From：Andge Bearing ] Author：Bearing Website

In the wind-swept plains of Jilin Tongyu, 30 smart wind turbines at the Zhongguanghe Yuantong Sankeliu Wind Farm have been operating stably for three years without a single failure. What makes this achievement remarkable is that these turbines are equipped with domestically developed and manufactured sliding bearing gearboxes, marking the first large-scale application of this technology in China's wind power industry . This breakthrough not only verifies the feasibility and reliability of sliding bearing technology in wind power applications but also represents a major milestone in China's pursuit of localization of high-end core components, breaking the technological monopoly of foreign manufacturers.

The adoption of sliding bearing technology in wind turbines is a response to the industry's trend towards larger and more efficient wind power equipment. In recent years, the single-unit capacity of onshore wind turbines has exceeded 15 megawatts, and offshore wind turbines have surpassed 20 megawatts . As wind turbine capacity increases, the demand for lightweight and high-reliability transmission systems has become more urgent. The gearbox, a core component of wind turbines responsible for converting low-speed wind energy into high-speed rotational energy for generators, is critical to the reliability and efficiency of the entire system. Traditional rolling bearings, however, are approaching their performance limits as impeller diameters increase, leading to potential risks such as accumulated frictional heat and long-term reliability issues that may take more than 10 years to manifest .

Compared to traditional rolling bearings, sliding bearings offer several distinct advantages that make them ideal for large-scale wind turbines. Firstly, they are smaller in size and occupy less space, facilitating the lightweight design of gearboxes and transmission chains. Secondly, sliding bearings rely on a lubricating oil film between the shaft and the bearing to reduce friction, resulting in lower power loss, higher operational efficiency, and a longer design life . According to data from the Jilin wind farm, sliding bearing gearboxes reduce power loss by 20%-25%, and under the same input conditions, wind turbine power generation can be increased by approximately 0.5% . For a 3.3-megawatt onshore wind turbine with a 20-year lifecycle, this translates to an additional 1,075,140 kWh of electricity, equivalent to the annual consumption of 360 households . These advantages make sliding bearings perfectly suited to the 25-30 year lifecycle requirements of wind turbines.

The road to developing sliding bearing technology for wind power applications has been fraught with challenges. While sliding bearings have long been used in industrial applications, their adoption in wind power presents unique difficulties due to the high load and low-speed operating conditions of wind turbines . Additionally, the mass production of sliding bearings requires strict quality control and precision manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and reliability. Global exploration of sliding bearing technology in the wind power industry began 15 years ago, with international leading wind turbine gearbox manufacturers such as ZF and Winergy achieving mass application between 2018 and 2020 . In China, wind power manufacturers began exploring the development of sliding bearing gearboxes approximately five years ago, but only Envision Energy has successfully achieved independent research, development, and mass production .

The success of Envision Energy's sliding bearing technology can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the company adopted a systematic approach to technology development, focusing on deep penetration of technology at the design stage and successful breakthroughs in thermal spray coating technology . At Envision Energy's transmission chain factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, thermal spray coating machines apply special alloy coatings to sliding bearings, creating a wear-resistant and lightweight "protective layer" . Subsequent processes such as machining, deburring, cleaning, and rigorous testing ensure the quality and reliability of the bearings.

Cleanliness control is a critical factor in ensuring the lifespan of sliding bearings. Fatigue caused by subsurface material inclusions is a major cause of bearing failure, requiring the size of internal particles in bearings to be reduced to the micron level before delivery . Envision Energy has implemented strict dust prevention measures, including dedicated assembly areas and special dust-proof procedures for personnel entering the workspace . The company's in-house research, development, and manufacturing of gearboxes also contribute to maintaining cleanliness, as all components are thoroughly cleaned to prevent cross-contamination .

Rigorous testing is another cornerstone of Envision Energy's success. Each sliding bearing undergoes dye penetrant testing and ultrasonic inspection to detect surface cracks and internal defects . Some products are also subjected to destructive testing to verify metallurgical structure and material composition, providing valuable data for further optimization. Additionally, the company simulates real-world operating conditions in laboratories to test the performance of components under various environmental conditions, ensuring their reliability in actual wind farm operations .

According to Lou Yimin, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy, the key challenge in sliding bearing technology lies not in the technology itself but in the integration of the entire chain from bearing components to gearbox assemblies and wind turbine systems . The successful application of sliding bearings in wind turbines requires seamless coordination between design, manufacturing, testing, and mass production, a capability that Envision Energy has developed through its focus on in-depth manufacturing .

The mass application of sliding bearing technology in the wind power sector has far-reaching significance beyond the wind power industry. Sliding bearings are widely used in automotive transmissions, large marine engines, and industrial transmission chains . The breakthrough in wind power applications provides valuable experience and technical reference for other industries, accelerating the localization of high-end bearings in China. It also represents a successful practice of "connecting the technology chain, building the innovation chain, and linking the industrial chain," as well as a vivid example of industry-university-research-application collaborative innovation .

Looking ahead, the development of sliding bearing technology will continue to drive innovation in the wind power industry and beyond. As wind turbines become larger and more efficient, sliding bearings will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the reliability and performance of transmission systems. The success of Envision Energy's sliding bearing technology also inspires other Chinese enterprises to invest in independent research and development, breaking through foreign technological monopolies and promoting the high-quality development of China's manufacturing industry.

【Andge Bearing】WuXi Andge Bearing Co.,Ltd. delivers reliable bearing solutions for industrial, automotive and mechanical applications.

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Sliding Bearing Technology Breaks Through in Wind Power Sect

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