without castings IN A WORLD


Would Wind Be a Signifi cant Source of Energy?


2010, United States T e U.S. surpasses the 40,000 MW mark for


installed wind power capacity. In 2004, wind power capacity was less than 10,000 MW. T e increasingly large wind turbines, which can generate from 750 kWh to 5 MW of power, require huge ductile iron castings to structurally support the tall tower, gigantic rotor blades, machinery and gears. Typically, 15-20 tons of castings are required for each MW of power the turbine produces. T ese castings enable the scale of wind turbines—and thus their capacity for power—to grow. T e U.S. wind industry has ratcheted up construction of wind farms throughout the country in recent years. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy released a report indicating it would be economically and technically feasible for wind energy to account for 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030. 


This wind turbine gearbox is just one of the castings found in the turbines and weighs more than 8,000 lbs.


Nov/Dec 2012 | METAL CASTING DESIGN & PURCHASING | 15


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