Gear Manufacturers Face Challenges in Growing Wind Energy Industry

摘要

East of San Francisco Bay, near the town of Rio Vista, 81 white towers stand 255 feet tall on rolling hills of dry grass harvesting a year-round crop: wind. On each tower, blades 124 feet long rotate in the wind, transferring its energy to the gearbox inside the turbine nacelle. Sun and planet gears rotate around an internal ring gear, transmitting the energy to the nacelle generator, creating electricity. In total, the turbines generate 145 megawatts. Installed this year, the wind farm represents an opportunity for the gear industry.