The wind power industry is tackling its waste problem

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 18, 2022

Insight summary

The wind power industry is developing recycling technologies for wind turbine blades, addressing waste management challenges. Vestas, in collaboration with industry and academic leaders, has developed a process to break down thermoset composites into reusable materials, reducing the environmental impact of wind energy. This innovation not only contributes to a circular economy but also has the potential to reduce costs, attract investments, create new jobs, and promote sustainable urban planning through the repurposing of turbine blades into infrastructure.

Wind power recycling context

The wind power industry is developing the technologies needed to recycle wind turbine blades. While wind power contributes significantly to the generation of green energy, wind turbines themselves have their own recycling and waste management challenges. Fortunately, companies like Vestas, from Denmark, have developed a new technology that will make it possible to recycle wind turbine blades.

Conventional wind turbine blades are made of layers of fiberglass and balsa wood bonded together with an epoxy thermoset resin. The resulting blades represent the 15 percent of a wind turbine that cannot be recycled and may end up as waste in landfills. Vestas, in collaboration with industry and academic leaders, has developed a process whereby thermoset composites are broken down into fiber and epoxy. Through another process, the epoxy is broken down further into a material that can be used to make new turbine blades.

Traditionally, heat is used to bond the layers together and create the correct shape for blades to operate properly. One of the new processes currently under development uses a thermoplastic resin that can be shaped and hardened at room temperature. These blades can be recycled by melting them and reshaping them into new blades. The wind industry in the US is also looking at the possibility of repurposing used blades.

Disruptive impact 

By diverting these massive structures from landfills, we can significantly decrease the environmental footprint of the wind energy sector. This approach aligns with the broader global push towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized and resources are kept in use for as long as possible. Furthermore, the recycling process could create new job opportunities in the green energy sector, contributing to economic growth and sustainable development.

The potential cost reduction in wind power production through the use of recycled blades could make this form of renewable energy more financially appealing. This trend could lead to an increase in investments in wind power, both onshore and offshore, accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources. Lower costs could also make wind power more accessible to communities and countries that have previously been unable to afford the initial investment, thereby democratizing access to clean energy.

The repurposing of used turbine blades into infrastructure, such as pedestrian bridges, bus stop shelters, and playground equipment, presents a unique opportunity for creative urban planning. This trend could lead to the creation of distinctive, eco-friendly public spaces that serve as a reminder of our commitment to sustainable living. For governments, this could be a way to meet environmental targets while also providing public amenities. 

Implications of wind power recycling

Wider implications of wind power recycling technologies may include:

• Reduced waste in the wind power industry.
• New wind turbine blades from old ones, saving costs for the wind industry.
• Helping resolve recycling challenges in other industries that use thermoset composites in their manufacturing processes, such as aviation and boating.
• Structures from recycled blades like park benches and playground equipment.
• Technological advancements in wind turbine recycling processes, driving innovation and fostering the development of sustainable waste management practices.
• Promotion of environmental stewardship and sustainability values, encouraging a cultural shift towards responsible consumption and resource conservation.
• New jobs in biodegradable materials, repurposing materials, and wind turbine recycling.

Questions to consider

• Why does the average citizen not give a thought to whether wind turbines are recyclable or not?
• Should the manufacturing process of wind turbine blades be changed to make them more recyclable?