Making wind turbine lubricants

Challenges: Manufacturing lubricants for the wind industry provides plenty of opportunities – and challenges. To compete in the marketplace, your lubricants must meet increasing demand for long drain intervals and reliable performance in extreme conditions, especially in low temperatures. They must handle larger loads from larger turbines in smaller gear boxes.

How we can help: To help you meet – and exceed – these demands, we provide state-of-the-art synthetic base stocks, including next-generation SpectraSyn Elite™ metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) developed using our proprietary metallocene catalyst technology. SpectraSyn Elite mPAO provides higher viscosity index (VI), enhanced film thickness, improved low temperature fluidity and lower foaming than conventional high viscosity PAOs.

You can also rely on us for world-class technical expertise that help you gain a competitive edge.

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Lubricant solutions

40% of basestocks market switched to mpao

Wind turbine gear oil

There are currently no market general wind turbine gear oil additive packages developed for HiVis mPAO. Accessing the performance advantages of mPAO requires changes to your formulation strategies to address differences in solubility versus cPAO. To help formulators, we’re partnering with additive companies to:

Optimize base stock and additive compatibility
Perform initial testing and obtain industrial gear oil approvals

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Wind turbine grease

Your customers demand high performance at a wide temperature range. They want durable, long-lasting grease that protects their bearings from wear, rust and corrosion even in extreme conditions. Grease formulated with SpectraSyn Elite mPAO has demonstrated superior low-temperature performance compared to greases made with mineral and cPAO base stocks in lab tests.

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Market trends

The wind turbine market continues to evolve, producing more energy than ever before. Two trends have significant impact on wind turbine lubricants.

Read our report on wind industry lubrication trends ›

1. Larger turbines

OEMs are designing larger wind turbines to increase power generation efficiency. Additionally, OEMs are minimizing weight by decreasing the size of gearboxes, which lower sump volumes. Larger loads + smaller sumps = increased stress on lubricants.

2. Remote locations

Good locations for new wind farms are tougher to find. Operators are forced to build in more remote areas in extreme conditions. Lubricants, therefore, must perform at wider temperature ranges. They must last longer, too, given the difficulties – and costs – of maintenance in remote areas. More than ever, lubricant performance is critical.

Read our report on wind industry lubrication trends ›

Inside insights

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The enhanced oxidative stability of metallocene polyalphaolefin

Base stocks with improved oxidative stability lead to better energy efficiency, improved oil drain intervals and less oil make up. In this whitepaper ExxonMobil experts test and compare the oxidative stability of mPAO to cPAO base stocks in severe operating conditions
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Case study – wind turbine maintenance

Tianjin Sure Energy extends equipment life and reduces wind turbine maintenance with SpectraSyn Elite™ mPAO.
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Case study – technical solutions

Dalian Hilubo uses ExxonMobil technical expertise and SpectraSyn Elite™ mPAO to succeed in competitive wind turbine marketplace.

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Find the answers you need in our library of informative case studies, white papers, factsheets and more.

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Broad portfolio of synthetic base stocks

SpectraSyn Elite™ mPAO

High-viscosity metallocene polyalphaolefin base stock provides high performance at a wide temperature range and exceptional low-temperature properties.
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SpectraSyn Plus™ PAO

Advanced low-viscosity synthetic base stock for low volatility and low-temperature fluidity to produce advanced lubricants.
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SpectraSyn™ Hi Vis PAO

High viscosity base stock especially suited for industrial oils requiring high stability under harsh operating conditions.
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SpectraSyn™ Low Vis PAO

Low viscosity base stock offering low-temperature fluidity, low volatility and improved thermal stability.
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Synesstic™ AN

Alkylated naphthalene base stock often used as blend component for additive solvency, seal compatibility and hydrolytic stability.
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Esterex™ esters

Organic esters are well-suited as a blend component for additive solvency, seal compatibility or biodegradability.
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