Strength for extreme conditions
Wind turbines convert the power of the wind into energy through large rotating blades. These forces are concentrated in relatively small components such as gears, shafts and bearings, leading to extreme stress and wear.
Molybdenum is added to steel to meet exactly that challenge. It enhances the strength, hardness and toughness of the material, ensuring that critical components continue to perform reliably,even under harsh conditions.
As a result, molybdenum can be found in several key parts of a wind turbine, including gearboxes, rotor shafts, bearings and fasteners.
Growing turbines, growing material demand
Wind turbines are becoming increasingly large and powerful. While onshore turbines today typically generate a few megawatts, offshore turbines already exceed 15 megawatts, with even larger models under development.
As turbine size increases, so does the need for high-performance materials. On average, around 100 to 120 kg of molybdenum per megawatt is used, depending on the type of turbine and the technology applied. At the same time, the energy transition requires vast quantities of raw materials. As global wind capacity continues to expand, the demand for molybdenum is expected to grow accordingly.
A key enabler of the energy transition
Wind energy is a clear example of a metal-intensive technology. Large amounts of steel and cast iron are needed to build, install and maintain turbines. Within these materials, molybdenum plays a crucial role. It not only improves strength and reliability, but also helps reduce maintenance needs, an important factor, since turbines are often difficult to access, especially offshore.
Molybdenum may be a small component, but it is an essential link in technologies like wind energy that help shape a sustainable future.
