Swedish bearing and seal manufacturer SKF has partnered with energy company Falkenbergs Utvecklings to start a wind energy development centre for R&D, knowledge development, and testing and training activities at Lovstaviken in Falkenberg. Together, the companies are establishing the very first centre for renewable energy in Sweden, said Stefan Karlsson, head of Global Renewable Energy Segments at SKF.

The wind park will be owned by the city of Falkenberg and operated by Falkenberg Energi. SKF will, in close cooperation with the manufacturers of the wind turbines, contribute with testing programmes and equipment, measuring devices and technical competencies to evaluate the different parameters in the application. The park, which should begin operations in 2006, will consist of five 2MW turbines.

Different manufacturers will supply the wind turbines to ensure access to different technologies. This will allow SKF to continuously test and evaluate the performance of different components, products, software and technologies. Turbine evaluations will be used to develop solutions that maximise asset utilisation and drive the development of wind turbine technology, while minimising the environmental impact.