Alternative energy methods drive need for planetary gearboxes

Jan. 1, 2007
The move towards alternative energy forms, including wind energy, will boost the markets for planetary gearboxes in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

The move towards alternative energy forms, including wind energy, will boost the markets for planetary gearboxes in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and the Americas. By 2009, this market will experience annual growth of 8%, reaching $1.812 million and $459 million, respectively. Growth is being driven by an increasing demand within the wind energy sector for high torque planetary gearboxes used in wind turbines.

The energy sector accounted for more than 40% of the total EMEA planetary gearbox market, and more than 25% of the Americas planetary market in 2005. EMEA has been steadily building up a large installed wind turbine capacity for more than 20 years. An increasing international demand for oil and rising energy costs has spurred the Americas into comparable levels of investment.

According to market analyst Rob Carter, “Continued financial incentives provided by the 2001 EU Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources for Europe, and America's wind energy production tax credit, will encourage further investment in the wind energy sector over the next few years as these regions strive to meet green energy targets. This is expected to result in the high-torque planetary gearbox market growing annually by around 10% in both regions.”

Sponsored Recommendations

7 Reasons Why Air Bearings Outperform Mechanical Bearings

Feb. 7, 2025
Frictionless air bearings and air bearing stages have decisive advantages in precision motion and automation applications.

Hexapod Robot Applications in Automation and Automotive Assembly

Feb. 7, 2025
Hexapod 6-DOF Robots in Automation and Automotive Assembly | 6-Axis Precision Parallel Robot | Cobot for High Precision Applications

What is a Difference between a Gantry Positioning System and a Split-Bridge?

Feb. 7, 2025
The design of a Gantry Positioning System and Split-Bridge Positioning system are related. Learn how they differ and what to use best for your application.

Application Solutions with 6-Axis Hexapod Positioning Systems

Feb. 7, 2025
Explore applications, articles, and background information on 6-Axis Hexapod Positioning Systems and how they can help you improve your alignment system.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!