Gear oils for wind
Next generation wind power requires equally innovative lubricants designed to maxmise wind turbine performance and increase uptime. Shell’s fully synthetic gearbox oils are designed to help you increase efficiency and extend maintenance intervals.
Gear Oils for Wind Turbines
| Gear oil | Application | Description | Performance | Brochure |
| Shell Omala S5 Wind | Main gearbox, Yaw & pitch drives | An advanced, fully-synthetic gear oil offering exceptional performance even under severe operating conditions. Developed to protect gears and bearings by minimising wear, protecting against micro-pitting, maintaining fluidity, and minimising foam. | Long life Extra protection Enhanced system efficiency For all platforms |
Download Brochure (PDF, 527 kB) |
| Shell Omala S4 GXV Plus |
Yaw & pitch drives | An advanced synthetic industrial gear oil formulated with mPAO. Offers a broad range of OEM approvals, excellent protection and a wide range of temperature usage. Launching in 2024 replacing Shell Omala S4 GXV. | Extra protection Enhanced system efficiency For all platforms |
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| Shell Omala S4 WE | Yaw & pitch drives | An advanced, synthetic, heavy-duty gear oil formulated with PAG base fluids and additives; offers outstanding performance under severe operating conditions. | Extra life and protection Energy saving High resistance to micro-pitting |
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| Shell Omala F Wind | Main gearbox | A high-quality, lead-free (mineral), extreme-pressure oil designed for superior performance in wind turbine platform main gearboxes. | High load carrying capacity Anti-friction characteristics Extra life and protection |
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The Next Generation of Gear Oil
Shell Omala S5 Wind - Outstanding low temperature performance
Shell Omala S5 Wind - Outstanding low temperature performance
Title: Shell Omala S5 Wind - Outstanding low temperature performance
Duration: 3 minute 1 sec
Description:
See how Shell's technology teams have worked to produce an outstanding wind turbine gearbox oil and how its cold temperature performance compares against the competition.
Shell Omala S5 Wind - Outstanding low temperature performance Transcript
[Audio]
Music, dramatic opening chord, then dips down to steady, background, held throughout
[Video]
Close up of a wind turbine turning, it slows down
Text:
Shell Omala S5 Wind
A new generation gearbox oil
Warren Cates in vision, captioned
Warren Cates Shell Project & Technology Lead, Lubricants: If it was easy to develop a product like this, everybody would have one.
Offshore wind turbine farm, wind turbines in long rows, turbines moving, a couple of boats move around them
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: Some of these wind turbines are 100m up in the air. The specifications change whether they're over land or over water. They're 300 to 600 litres of product. It's never at rest, and it's never allowed to release the air or release the foam. The application has gone from being something that's been complex to something that's even more complex. We had to develop a product…
[Video]
A wind turbine from above, overlaid moving graphic outline, with text: 100m
Three wind turbines in the distance, in on shore farm, middle distance two engineers stand next to the open back hatch of a car mid foreground, one engineer is looking through binoculars
Four wind turbines spaced over a section of dusty plane
Upward view of a wind turbine, cables in foreground, turbine is moving then slowed down, overlaid moving graphic outline, with text: 300L-600L
Close up of front of moving turbine
Another front close up, Shell logo on head of turbine
Two wind turbines in a section of a dusty plane, against a darkly cloudy sky
The two engineers next to the open back hatch of a car, as above, turbines in the distance, medium wide, one engineer closes the hatch
Single turbine on the flat plane against the dark cloudy sky
Wind turbine at sea, moving blades, medium close, Shell logo visible on turbine head
Same turbine, medium close, from a different angle
Warren Cates in vision
Warren Cates: …that was specially built for a wind turbine application.
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: I've been doing this work for 25 years, and this has been the most difficult and the most challenging development that we've had. There's been a lot of hard work by many, many different groups across the globe to ensure proper performance for the customer. The product development that went into this was game-changing for us. There's over 300 lines of testing, and many of the tests are specialised tests. One of the biggest characteristics is low temperature property. We wanted to make sure that the equipment was able to function at low temperature.
[Video]
Warren Cates walks across a laboratory to a colleague who points to and touches a piece of equipment in a glassed in area
Same activity from a different angle, Warren Cates and his colleague look closely at the equipment
Camera moves behind them and above their heads to a diagram on a monitor mounted on the wall
Track past laboratory work stations, two engineers at work
One engineer slowly slides out a piece of equipment from a glassed in area as another engineer looks on
Two engineers at a white board, one drawing a diagram
Engineer walks towards equipment in a glassed in area, she goes to open the glass door
Pan past laboratory work stations, many long pipes leading down into testing equipment
Warren Cates and a colleague look at equipment in a glassed in area, bending forward to examine more closely
Close up of an engineer’s index finger as he probes a piece of equipment
Quick zoom in to close up of the head of an engineer in low temperature protective clothing, eye mask and fur lined hood, face covered
Burst of cold steam comes from a low temperature testing rig
Wider shot as an engineer in low temperature protective clothing emerges from testing rig
Wide of same as engineer has emerged
Medium close of engineer as he/she walks off out of shot
[Audio – voice over]
Pieter-Jan Jordaens: This is a cold start up test rig…
[Video]
Two engineers walk towards large climatic test chamber
Pieter-Jan Jordaens in vision, captioned
Pieter-Jan Jordaens Senior Engineer, OWI LAB: …so-called ‘no-load’ test rig for gearboxes.
[Audio – voice over]
Pieter-Jan Jordaens: We have been testing at low temperatures ranging from zero degrees to minus 40 degrees. We have used it to measure the time to grit with this new oil which is being developed by Shell.
[Video]
Engineer in low temperature protecting clothing as above emerging from low temperature test rig
Engineer seated at monitors talks on walkie-talkie, monitor at top centre is a large video screen showing exterior of test rig, engineer in low temperature protective clothing in vision on that screen, he walks off
Pick up the shot seen on video monitor of engineer outside the rig itself, he/she walks off out of shot
Close up as engineer’s fur hood passes two monitors showing diagrams
Tight close up Cold/Warm Chamber data, including temperature, on monitor
Tight close up on walkie-talkie held to ear of engineer at monitors, slight pull out to reveal engineer’s profile
[Audio]
Inaudible talk across walkie-talkie
[Video]
Engineer in low temperature protective clothing pulls hood off as he walks past camera to reveal safety helmet beneath, he talks on walkie-talkie
[Audio – voice over]
Bastiaan Reymer: We look towards extreme climates…
[Video]
Wide of engineer seated at monitors talking to engineer in low temperature protective clothing outside low temperature testing rig, engineer seen on monitor screen, he too is on walkie-talkie
[Audio]
Inaudible talk across walkie-talkies
[Video]
Bastiaan Reymer in vision, captioned
Bastiaan Reymer Test & Validation Engineer: …because when there's a grid failure all the components cool off…
[Audio – voice over]
Bastiaan Reymer: …and then when they heat up again, that's when the possible failures might happen. We drive a 315 kilowatt motor which drives the high-speed shaft of the wind turbine gearbox. That way, we have a ‘no-load’ set up on which we can go until full speed and full torque in cold climates. The images that we have taken during the project looked impressive. There was definitely a difference between the standard oil that was used, and the Shell Omala S5.
[Video]
Engineer in low temperature protective gear climbs onto a test rig motor
Same engineer in close up looks inside the unit
Medium close of the motor, pull out to a wider view of the whole set up
Close up of wind turbine gearbox, camera goes in tighter onto the open cross section
Interior of turbine engine as it spins, covered in lubricant, speeds up
Close up of lubricant going across teeth of turbine
Side by side images of lubricant on a turbine head, one labelled: Shell Omala S5, the other labelled Conventional Synthetic Gear Oil
Overlay of text writing onto the screen as image desaturates
Text:
Reduced Time To Grid
- Improved low temperature fluidity
- Higher loads in start-up cycle
Enhanced Equipment Protection
- Achieves an oil flow of up to 63% greater than the conventional synthetic gear oil
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: Well, this new product is going to be a game-changer out in the wind turbine industry.
Warren Cates in vision
Warren Cates: The benefit that Shell Omala S5 Wind gives to the customer…
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: …is that it's able to help the wind turbine get to temperature faster which allows the customer to get the electricity - their end product…
[Video]
Same comparative image as above, begins in full saturation, quickly desaturates, overlay text writes onto screen
Text:
Excellent Filtration Performance
- Continued to be filtered even at the lowest temperature unlike the conventional synthetic gear oil
Warren Cates in vision
Warren Cates: …to the grid faster.
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: We've been field testing this product for almost two years now, and to see this finally come to fruition is just...
[Video]
Time lapse of electrical pylons at night, camera moves slightly across frame as night turns to day
Two engineers seen from rear as they walk towards the base of a wind turbine
Same engineers seen from side on as the approach the steps to the turbine door
Looking up towards cables and pylons at dusk or dawn, red light behind the clouds, speeded up shots as camera moves quickly along the path of the cables
Warren Cates in vision
Warren Cates: …it's...it's gratifying.
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: …We truly feel like we have built and developed the best wind turbine gearbox…
[Video]
Composite shot, container of Shell Omala S5 against desaturated background of interior of turbine engine, move in on label of container as line of white light swipes across screen left to right
Warren Cates in vision
Warren Cates: …lubricant out there.
[Audio – voice over]
Warren Cates: We've done it. We've really done this.
[Video]
Wind turbines on dusty white plain against dark, cloudy background
Single turbine standing out against the others in a lighter, sunnier shot
White slate
Text:
SHELL LUBRICANTS
TOGETHER ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
[Audio]
Closing sting
[Video]
Pecten
© SHELL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 2016
Shell Omala | Product Video | Shell Lubricant Solutions
Shell Omala | Product Video | Shell Lubricant Solutions
Title: Shell Omala | Product Video | Shell Lubricant Solutions
Duration: 1:38 minutes
Description:
This short video gives an in-depth description of the qualities and benefits of Shell Omala oils.
This video includes animations to illustrate how Shell Omala oils can offer protection across various applications.
The Shell Omala Product Video Transcript
[Background music plays]
Bright, uplifting music is played in the background.
[White screen]
A yellow droplet descends from the top to the middle of the screen, transforming into a spinning roundel. This roundel includes animations of an orange robotic arm, a white spinning wind turbine, an open gear and a grey spinning cog. There are small animations of lubricants moving and arrows around the focal roundel.
[Spoken word]
Gearboxes help keep the wheels of industry turning, but over time, they have become smaller and more intricate, while power outputs increase, and operating conditions toughen.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
A zoom into the robotic arm section of the roundel – the robotic arm is making up and down movements. Then in a clockwise motion the spinning grey cog section of the roundel appears. The roundel continues to spin, changing to the vibrating open gear and finally moves to the turning wind turbine section.
[Spoken word]
Fortunately, technology advancements mean each piece of machinery is now meticulously engineered to overcome these environments.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
It then zooms out to show the roundel in full – with each section of the roundel showing it's own animation. The roundel then fills in with a blue background colour and an enlarged spinning cog. The background fill of the roundel then changes to yellow and the spinning cog's appearance deteriorates.
[Spoken word]
Limiting fluid degradation can prolong oil life,
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
There's a zoom into the roundel that produces a new scene displaying a front-facing red car being assembled by orange robotic arms on each side, attaching wing mirrors onto the car's body. A moving yellow clock can be seen above the car accompanied by small animations of lubricants and dashed lines moving in the background. At the end of the scene, four green check marks appear one after the other at the top and bottom of the orange robotic arms.
[Spoken word]
so Shell Omala is designed to help equipment operate without interruption, enabling longer maintenance intervals, especially in heavy, repetitive industrial settings where productivity, consistency and reliability dictate success.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
A roundel appears in the middle of the screen, obstructing the red car and the clock but leaving the two orange robotic arms in view. The roundel contains a blue background fill and displays two animations of grey spinning gears. The background fill of the roundel then changes to yellow and the animation of the gears deteriorates simultaneously.
[Spoken word]
The enhanced wear protection provided by Shell Omala safeguards gears against service life and productivity drains.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
There is a blue sky with 3 spinning wind turbines planted in a darker blue ocean. There is an animated dashed line that shoots off-screen. 3 bubbles appear one after the other next to the 3 wind turbines. The first appears on top of the middle turbine, the next appears on the right of the right turbine and the last appears on the left of the left turbine. These bubbles begin to fill with a yellow and a green outline in the same order, revealing green icons. The first reveals an icon representing a kilogram weight, the next reveals a snowflake icon and the last reveals an icon representing chemical corrosion.
[Spoken word]
Take modern wind turbines. Their bigger blades are increasingly asked to work harder, meaning critical components come under strain from higher loads. Between isolated locations and harsh operational conditions, gear oils demand a balanced performance – all of which starts with protection.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
The scene then zooms past the 3 wind turbines, transporting to 3 onshore spinning wind turbines planted on green forest terrain with a blue sky. There are numerous green turbines spinning in the background.
[Spoken word]
By maintaining an adequate lubricant film,
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
The scene then zooms past the 3 wind turbines, transporting to 3 onshore spinning wind turbines planted on brown desert terrain with a blue sky. There are numerous brown turbines spinning in the background.
[Spoken word]
an oil like Shell Omala keeps oil flowing while flushing out contamination.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
The scene then zooms past the 3 wind turbines, transporting to a new scene displaying an animated tractor, a dump truck and a wheeled loading shovel moving on a yellow terrain with a blue sky.
[Spoken word]
Even amid extreme conditions, like those experienced in the mining industry, where dust, high temperatures and rain all test viscosity and pumpability.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
A roundel split into 4 sections appears on a white background. This roundel includes animations of an orange robotic arm, a white spinning wind turbine, an open gear and a grey spinning cog. There are small animations of lubricants moving and arrows around the focal roundel.
[Spoken word]
Shell Omala oils have been formulated to provide everything you need to keep the wheels turning
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
The dark grey animated container representing the Shell Omala product appears in the middle of the roundel. The product is zoomed into and becomes larger, resulting in the disappearance of the roundel. There are small animations of lubricants moving and arrows around the focal product.
[Spoken word]
and your business on track.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Frame]
The Shell Omala product then shoots left off-screen, revealing the "Shell.com/Omala" text in red.
[Spoken word]
Speak to one of our experts or visit Shell.com/Omala to find out more.
[Scene transition]
Next scene/frame appears
[Background music plays]
Shell Jingle
[Animated Sequence]
Shell Pecten logo sits on the frame.
