Merck KGaA is to lead a €2 million project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to develop of ionic liquid-based lubricants for wind turbines.
The project, which is scheduled to run for three years, involves a number of other companies and companies and research institutes are involved. Merck, as the project consortium leader, is contributing its expertise in the development of ionic liquids.
Other companies taking part are Schaeffler Technologies and REpower Systems. The project also involves the University of Erlangen-Nueremberg chairs of Reaction Engineering, Technical Thermodynamics, and Process Technology & Machinery.
The project is a critical link in the German government’s aim of building offshore offshore wind farms that will produce around 25,000 megawatts of additional electricity by 2030. The project participants are contributing their expertise throughout the entire value chain.
The University of Erlangen-Nuremberg is addressing fundamental questions, while Merck and Schaeffler Technologies are handling the technical aspects. As a potential end user, REpower Systems will ensure that the ionic lubricants being developed are relevant to the market.
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