Back
Obtain news and background information about sealing technology, get in touch with innovative products – subscribe to the free e-mail newsletter.
25.07.2023 | News
“Massive Rethinking Required”
Ever larger, more powerful, and more cost-effective – the wind power industry is weathering some storms. Marcel Schreiner, Global Segment Director of the Energy Division at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and wind power expert, describes why the cut-throat price war in the industry must end and why even small parts make a big impact.
Mr. Schreiner, the media constantly reports on massive problems in the wind power industry. How did this come about?
Marcel Schreiner: In recent years, wind turbine manufacturers have experienced a massively increased pricing pressure. As a result, the systems being sold by the producers are growing in size and going to market in ever shorter cycles. And at the same time, turbines that don’t even exist yet are being already sold so that the companies are awarded contracts during auctions for new wind farms. This is because larger turbines can be offered at a lower price per megawatt hour.
To keep up with the price war, many manufacturers are shortening the development cycles of their wind turbines so much that they sometimes install turbines that haven’t been fully developed and tested yet. This now creates major quality problems, even in new turbines, and immense costs for maintenance and repair.
Does this situation also affect Freudenberg Sealing Technologies?
Schreiner: Particularly when it comes to renewable energies, technologies have always developed dynamically. That’s why it is even more important to stay flexible and work closely with the customers. Our approach and one of our quality features is to strongly work with wind turbine manufacturers on solutions for the energy supply of the future.
We also feel the high pricing pressure in the industry, that’s for sure. But this year in particular, we have repeatedly stopped this by withdrawing from the price war. This means we deliberately give up on business in this important growth sector for us. But that’s just how it is: Delivering products with high quality and durability will continue to be our standard. This is also why we don’t compromise to get better prices or save on materials. We’re committed to this.
The solution is simple: If you invest in quality at the beginning, you avoid follow-up costs during the system’s lifecycle, which are often many times higher.
Marcel Schreiner, Global Segment Director of the Energy Division
Then how can this problem be solved?
Schreiner: The solution is simple: If you invest in quality at the beginning, you avoid follow-up costs during the system’s lifecycle, which are often many times higher.
Here is an example that also shows why it is important to have a differentiated view of the various wind turbine components: The seals and accumulators from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies are only a very small part of the total investment volume for a wind turbine – but at the same time, precisely these parts have an immense effect when it comes to the wind turbine’s flawless operation in the long term. If a turbine manufacturer were to accept costs during the acquisition that are a negligible part of the overall balance, some of the quality-related costs could certainly be avoided or significantly reduced. This is how parts that seem minor get to have a big effect.
In summary, you might say: The industry is nickeling and diming itself to death. That’s why a massive rethinking is urgently required – away from higher, faster, further, but towards high quality systems that have been developed realistically and. In addition to the manufacturers, politicians are also called on to create the appropriate framework conditions.
More news on the subject Renewable Energies
Renewable Energies
New production methods for seals in the hydrogen and electrolyzers sector
Experimental curiosity is accelerating the development of forward-looking solutions, especially in the energy sector. This inventive spirit also fuels continuous advancement in materials, manufacturing processes and sealing solutions at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. Because one thing is clear: Seals are the decisive factors that enable efficiency, safety, and predictable life cycle costs in hydrogen systems. They are the technology drivers that make it possible to achieve the targeted cost and scaling effects.
Renewable Energies
Sealing requirements along the H2 value chain
The requirements for sealing solutions are defined by the media and temperatures involved in hydrogen production and processing, transport, storage, and use.
Renewable Energies
What are the requirements for seals in renewable energies?
The hydrogen economy is experiencing rapid growth and is regarded as a key element of the energy transition. This development is being driven by the pres-sure to decarbonize, ensure energy security and meet the growing demand of the industry. At the same time, increasing technical and regulatory requirements are appearing along the entire hydrogen value chain – and seals are safety-critical components in these processes.
Renewable Energies
Standards and Regulations
When it comes to hydrogen technologies, the standards landscape is currently undergoing dynamic development. Many standards are being revised or newly developed at this time. In general, global norms and standardization are essential for the hydrogen economy to ensure the integrity and performance of sealing systems under widely varying pressure and temperature conditions.
Renewable Energies
Permeation, Pressure Cycling, RGD: Challenges Seals Have to Cope With
In the podcast “Alles DICHT?!”, Artur Mähne, Global Segment Manager for Hydrogen Technologies in the Energy segment at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, and podcast host Holger Best, ISGATEC, talk about hydrogen and its value chain.
Renewable Energies
What must seals be capable of in the context of renewable energy?
Seals used in renewable energy generation must withstand extreme environmental conditions and high mechanical stresses.
Renewable Energies
Requirements for Seals in Hydropower
Hydropower plants deliver maximum energy output in 24/7 operation. They are the most reliable source of renewable energy, supplying several hundred megawatts of continuous power and forming a key pillar in achieving climate targets.
Renewable Energies
Requirements for Seals in Photovoltaics
The installation and commissioning of solar modules or solar panels reached new record levels. For those dispensing with fossil fuels, photovoltaics is one of the key technologies on the path to global climate neutrality. Today, solar panels are installed in every climate zone on earth and in every conceivable location.
Renewable Energies
Requirements for Seals in Wind Energy
On land and especially at sea, all components installed in wind turbines are exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Leakage prevention, safety and durability are absolutely essential in order to avoid hidden costs and keep maintenance intervals within the scheduled cycles.
First Hand News
Best of all, keep up with the latest developments
with the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies newsletter.
Back to Top