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A Multidisciplinary Review of Recycling Methods for End-of-Life Wind Turbine Blades

Author

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  • Ebbe Bagge Paulsen

    (Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Borupvej 16, 7330 Brande, Denmark)

  • Peter Enevoldsen

    (Center for Energy Technologies, Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, BTECH Aarhus BSS Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, 7400 Herning, Denmark)

Abstract

Wind energy has seen an increase of almost 500 GW of installed wind power over the past decade. Renewable energy technologies have, over the years, been striving to develop in relation to capacity and size and, simultaneously, though with less focus on, the consequences and challenges that arise when the products achieve end-of-life (EoL). The lack of knowledge and possibilities for the recycling of fiber composites and, thus, the handling of EoL wind turbine blades (WTBs) has created great environmental frustrations. At present, the frustrations surrounding the handling are based on the fact that the most commonly used disposal method is via landfills. No recycling or energy/material recovery is achieved here, making it the least advantageous solution seen from the European Waste Commission’s perspective. The purpose of this research was thus to investigate the current recycling methods and to categorize them based on the waste materials. The opportunities were compared based on processing capacity, price, environment and technology readiness level (TRL), which concluded that recycling through co-processing in the cement industry is the only economical option at present that, at the same time, has the capabilities to handle large amounts of waste materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Ebbe Bagge Paulsen & Peter Enevoldsen, 2021. "A Multidisciplinary Review of Recycling Methods for End-of-Life Wind Turbine Blades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4247-:d:594120
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gennitsaris, Stavros & Sagani, Angeliki & Sofianopoulou, Stella & Dedoussis, Vassilis, 2023. "Integrated LCA and DEA approach for circular economy-driven performance evaluation of wind turbine end-of-life treatment options," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    2. Lund, K.W. & Madsen, E.S., 2024. "State-of-the-art value chain roadmap for sustainable end-of-life wind turbine blades," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    3. Lund, Kristine Wilhelm & Nielsen, Mikkel Liep & Madsen, Erik Skov, 2023. "Sustainability assessment of new technologies using multi criteria decision making: A framework and application in sectioning end-of-life wind turbine blades," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Hon Chung Lau, 2022. "Decarbonizing Thailand’s Economy: A Proposal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-31, December.
    5. Li, Chen & Mogollón, José M. & Tukker, Arnold & Dong, Jianning & von Terzi, Dominic & Zhang, Chunbo & Steubing, Bernhard, 2022. "Future material requirements for global sustainable offshore wind energy development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    6. Spyridoula Karavida & Angeliki Peponi, 2023. "Wind Turbine Blade Waste Circularity Coupled with Urban Regeneration: A Conceptual Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Corinna Köpke & Jennifer Mielniczek & Alexander Stolz, 2023. "Testing Resilience Aspects of Operation Options for Offshore Wind Farms beyond the End-of-Life," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-12, June.
    8. Hon Chung Lau & Steve C. Tsai, 2022. "A Decarbonization Roadmap for Taiwan and Its Energy Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-34, July.

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