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Momentive Silicones For Renewable Energy

The U.S. bipartisan infrastructure deal offers growth opportunities for domestic manufacturers of renewable and sustainable energy solutions. This significant funding around the U.S. Build Back Better Act is one of the most extensive clean energy infrastructure investment programs across public and private sectors. The U.S. is tackling various energy projects requiring long-lasting materials, such as silicone, to help modernize our electric grid and energy infrastructure.
 

Growth Areas for Silicone Manufacturers


With a projected investment of $1.2 trillion, domestic manufacturers of silicone elastomers can help modernize and financially benefit from funding in renewable energy infrastructure projects. Silicone compounders, transfer molders, injection molders, extruders, calendars, and compression molders may have investment opportunities to help support the following infrastructure projects:
 
  • Broadband Internet: The infrastructure bill includes $65 billion to bolster the country's broadband infrastructure and help ensure that every American has access to high-speed internet.
  • Electric Grid and Energy: $108 billion are allocated to the country's electricity grid, with thousands of miles of new transmission lines and funds for environmentally friendly smart-grid technology.
  • Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: In addition to $7.5 billion for the nation's first network of electric vehicle chargers along highway corridors, lawmakers have shored up $5 billion for zero-emission buses (including thousands of electric school buses) and $2.5 billion for ferries.
  • Modern Infrastructure: Around $42 billion will be granted toward shipping ports, airports, and freight infrastructure to drive renewable energy alternatives such as electrification and other low-carbon technologies.
  • Clean Energy Transmission: More than $65 billion will be devoted to the Department of Energy's focus on clean energy transmission and the electric grid. The Clean Energy Infrastructure Program is focused on carbon management and creating a more secure energy infrastructure.

Momentive Performance Silicone Solutions


Momentive silicone materials are versatile solutions for renewable energy applications as possible replacements for ceramic materials when utilizing medium- and high-voltage technology. Momentive performance solutions generally are lighter and require less maintenance. They have improved hydrophobicity, erosion resistance, ease of processing, and outstanding service life.
Typical silicone renewable energy applications:
 
  • High-voltage insulators
  • Cable accessories
  • Terminations/cable joints
  • Breakers/disconnect switches
  • Surge arrestors
  • Wires and cables
  • Gaskets and seals
  • Connectors
  • Solar inverter enclosure gaskets        

Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)


Momentive Silopren™ 2000 series are a class of versatile liquid silicone rubbers (LSR). Silopren™ LSR materials are two-component, platinum (addition/heat) curable and pumpable silicones that can be molded and cured with high-speed cycle times at thermally elevated temperatures.
The molding process allows complex part geometry and exact dimensions when required, enabling short-cycle-time injection and fully automatic flashless and trim-free manufacturing.

This family of products can offer the following:
  • Fast cycle times
  • High clarity and transparency
  • Increased tear strength
  • Self-bonding capabilities (primerless adhesion)
  • Wide range of durometer and hardness
  • Self-lubricating properties
  • Electrical conductivity

Heat Cured Rubber (HCR)


The Silplus™ HCR portfolio is comprises ready-to-use compounds for extruders and molders who that require durability and outstanding mechanical performance standards.

Silplus™ HCR grades offer the following renewable energy benefits:
  • Enhanced mechanical performance
  • High clarity
  • Low hysteresis and high resilience coupled with a low compression set for highly automated operations
  • One-component, ready-to-use options
  • A broad range of durometers
  • High-performance dielectric strength
  • Thermal management

Solar Panels


Momentive silicone elastomers offer a range of advantages in solar applications, such as excellent adhesion properties, allowing them to bond well with various substrates, including glass and metal. They have good thermal stability and weather resistance, meaning they can withstand high temperatures and outdoor environments without degrading. In addition to their use in encapsulation, silicone elastomers are also used in other photovoltaic solar–related applications. For example, they can be used as seals for solar water heaters or in-manufacturing solar panel mounting systems.

Relevant benefits of Momentive silicones in solar include:
  • Easy processing
  • No release of corrosive volatiles
  • Adhesion to typical PV substrates
  • Long-term thermal resistance from weathering and sunlight

Momentive performance silicone elastomers are commonly used in manufacturing solar panels as encapsulant materials, cables, wires, gaskets, seals, and seams. These materials protect solar cells from environmental factors, such as moisture and UV radiation, and ensure their long-term performance. Furthermore, silicone elastomers play an essential role in producing solar panels, helping to ensure their long-term reliability and efficiency.

Wind Energy


Silicone rubber is used in various wind energy applications, particularly in producing wind energy systems. One of its primary uses in wind energy is to protect against harsh weatherability factors, such as UV radiation, temperature extremes, dust, and moisture.
 

Gaskets and Seals
 

  • Nacelle sealing
    • Elastomers provide adequate protection in the main housing of the wind turbine's generator, gearbox, and other critical components.
  • Tower and flange sealing
    • Elastomer materials seal connections between tower sections and flanges, ensuring a secure and leak-free composition. This prevents air or fluid leakage into the central structural part of the wind tower.

Cables and Cable Accessories
 

  • Power cables
    • Silicones offer dielectric benefits that aid in transmitting renewable electricity from the generator in the nacelle to the transformer located within the tower or at the base of the wind turbine.
  • Control and signal cables
    • Transmitting control signals and data between wind turbine components, such as the nacelle, hub, and control system.
  • Cable accessories
    • Silicone cable glands and connectors provide secure connections ensuring proper electrical performance and protection against environmental factors.
 
 

Overall, silicone elastomers play an essential role in the performance and longevity of wind energy systems, helping to ensure their reliability and efficiency.
 

Summary


Temperature resistance, electrical insulation, durability, and weather resistance are just a few examples of how Momentive Ssilicones are used in manufacturing renewable energy infrastructure applications. Talk to one of our technical specialists today about which Momentive grade works best for your energy application.

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