Wind turbine blades photographed at a site in Denmark. What to do with blades when they are no longer needed is a headache for the industry.
Jonathanfilskov-photography | Istock | Getty Images
spanish energy firm iberdrola has jointly established a company that will recycle components used in renewable energy installations, including wind turbine blades.
In a statement last week, Iberdrola said the company, known as EnergyLOOP, would develop a blade recycling facility in Navarre, northern Spain.
“The initial objective will be the recovery of wind turbine blade components – mostly glass and carbon fibers and resins – and their reuse in sectors such as energy, aerospace, automotive, textiles, chemicals and construction,” the company said.
EnergyLOOP is launched by Iberdrola through PERSEO — its “International Program for Startups” — and the FCC mbito. The latter is a subsidiary of FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente.
Iberdrola said there will also be support for EnergyLOOP Siemens Gamesa Renewable EnergyA major player in the manufacture of wind turbines.
What to do with wind turbine blades when they are no longer needed is a headache for the industry. That’s because the composite materials blades are made of can prove difficult to recycle, meaning many end up in landfills when their service life is over.
As wind turbines are being used, the subject is becoming even more pressing. Iberdrola said it was estimated that around 5,700 wind turbines would be destroyed in Europe every year in 2030.
Iberdrola is one of several companies looking at the potential for recycling and reusing wind turbine blades, an objective that feeds the idea of creating a circular economy.
The concept has gained traction in recent years, with many businesses now looking to operate in ways that reduce waste and encourage reuse.
In September 2021, for example, Siemens Gamesa stated that it was launched a reusable wind turbine blade, The firm claimed that its recyclable blades are “the world’s first recyclable wind turbine blades ready for commercial use.”
A few months ago, in June 2021, rsted of Denmark said that All turbine blades to “reuse, recycle or recover” Worldwide portfolio of wind farms once they become dormant.
he also saw june General Electric’s Renewable Energy Unit and Cement Manufacturer holsim to strike a deal Explore the recycling of wind turbine blades.
Another wind power giant, Vestas, in January 2020 said that its goal is to produce “zero-waste” turbines by the year 2040.