Renewable energy technology has developed quickly and, because of this, we increasingly see outdated comments and questions about what happens when wind turbines reach their end of life. Since the industry is still relatively new, we haven’t needed to grapple very much with disposal methods. But since the wind industry has such incredible potential here in New Mexico, we thought we would take a moment and explore a fascinating subset of the industry- the recycling of wind turbines.
Currently, about 85% of wind turbine parts are recyclable. The most difficult components to recycle, however, are the wind turbine blades. Because efficiency blades need to be lightweight and strong enough to withstand storms, most turbine blades are made of fiberglass. The durable nature of this material is somewhat of a double-edged sword; while blades have become more powerful through the use of fiberglass, there are currently limited ways to break them down for reuse. Ultimately it is cheaper to dispose of them by burying them in landfills.
There are, however, several solutions on the horizon that will move turbine blades into a more circular economy. Many companies are exploring ways to create blades that are more easily broken down at the end of their life. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy recently announced they have created the first-ever recyclable blade made out of a resin that protects the inner components of the turbines but can be broken down to use in other materials at the end of life.
Another promising solution– which is currently in use— involves recycling the blades into components used for cement. This process has the added benefit of further reducing greenhouse gas emissions because the production of cement – the second most used material in the world – contributes 8 percent of our global CO2 emissions. These kinds of facilities are cropping up globally – including here in the United States!
Historically, we’ve seen the energy sector speed ahead with exciting new innovations with little consideration for the disposal methods of those innovations once the resources are used up or need replacing. It is very promising that, even with the wind industry still being at the relatively early stages of an emerging industry, we are beginning to be mindful of what the end stages will look like. It is also promising that this new recycling market is emerging so surely that wind companies are already committing to producing zero-waste turbines in the next few decades.
ReNew Mexico looks forward to seeing these industries come to fruition as well as seeing our state and country build a strong economy centered around leaving a habitable planet for future generations.
Sources:
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ge-announces-first-us-wind-turbine-blade-recycling-program-with-veolia/591869/
https://blog.ucsusa.org/james-gignac/wind-turbine-blades-recycling/
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/07/wind-energy-giant-siemens-gamesa-claims-world-first-in-blade-recycling.html
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/the-cement-industry-one-of-the-worlds-largest-co2-emitters-pledges-to-cut-greenhouse-gases