Silicone is more useful than you think!


Energy sources


China's energy industry purchases about 4 billion yuan of organosilicon products every year, which are not only used in renewable energy fields, such as solar panels and wind turbines, but also in traditional energy fields such as oil and gas.


About 2.5 million jobs have been created in solar photovoltaic related activities, two-thirds of which are in China


In 2019, the installed capacity of photovoltaic power generation in China will reach 219gw


The wind industry employs more than 500000 people in China


Oil accounts for 37% of Asia's energy consumption


It is estimated that the production and supply industries of electricity, heat, natural gas and water employ more than 4 million people in China


Organosilicon can be used as conductive adhesive and encapsulation agent in solar panel manufacturing. Organosilicon is resistant to UV radiation and has excellent transparency, which helps to improve the efficiency of solar panels, while its mechanical and chemical properties can reduce maintenance costs and extend service life.


In the field of solar energy, organosilicon helps to save costs because it has the following characteristics:


transparent


stability


Low reactivity


Temperature and weather resistance


Neutral curing (avoid corrosive by-products)


Adhesiveness


flexibility


In the manufacture of wind turbines, organosilicon is also used as a binder and lubricant.


Silicone improves the durability and weatherability of rotor blades


By improving durability and strength while reducing weight, silicone helps to produce wind turbines with higher energy potential and larger size


Silicone lubricants help reduce turbine maintenance costs while maximizing energy efficiency


In the field of oil and gas, organosilicon is the most widely used defoamer, because organosilicon:


Improve oil and gas production rate, reduce water consumption and improve efficiency at the same time


Maintain throughput and production during well, rig, refinery, and oil transportation


Cost savings by preventing oil spills and downstream equipment damage


Moreover, organosilicon is used as insulator in underground cables and transformers for power transmission and distribution.


Silicone can extend the service life of underground cables for up to 20 years, avoid replacing or repairing cables, and reduce costs


The use of silicone in transformers improves the durability of power transmission and helps prevent power outages


Source: Global silicone Council (GSC) silicone benefits and safety net