A Holistic and Circular Approach for Managing End-of-Service Wind Turbine Blades

Alann André (), Thomas Bru, Abdul Ghafoor Abbasi, Sugandh Sinha, Stephanie Nunes, Magdalena Juntikka, Karolina Kazmierczak, Nils Ólafur Egilsson, Gustav Frid, Marcin Sobczyk and Reza Haghani
Additional contact information
Alann André: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Thomas Bru: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Abdul Ghafoor Abbasi: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Sugandh Sinha: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Stephanie Nunes: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Magdalena Juntikka: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden
Karolina Kazmierczak: Chalmers Industriteknik, 412 58 Göteborg, Sweden
Nils Ólafur Egilsson: Chalmers Industriteknik, 412 58 Göteborg, Sweden
Gustav Frid: Vattenfall Business Area Wind, 169 92 Stockholm, Sweden
Marcin Sobczyk: ANMET, Street Przemyslowa 12, 67-300 Wiechlice, Poland
Reza Haghani: HiFIT High Frequency Impact Treatment USA, Fairfax, VA 22032, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: This paper aims to define the challenges and requirements necessary for the holistic management of wind turbine blades at the end of their service (EoS). Conducted within the Swedish research project Circublade, this study focuses on Sweden, although many challenges and findings are applicable to other countries. Various alternatives for managing EoS wind turbine blades exist at different levels of market maturity, but this paper specifically focuses on repurposing the blades into new products. The development of three concept designs—short-span pedestrian bridges, façade elements for building applications, and noise barriers for roads and railways—has been explored, along with aspects related to material sourcing, logistics, and implementation. For material sourcing, a digital platform containing blade data and tools to facilitate repurposing has been developed. An environmental evaluation of the different concepts highlights the significant impact of transportation on the overall environmental footprint, underscoring the necessity of a holistic approach to managing EoS blades.

Keywords: fibre-reinforced polymer; composite; circular economy; waste; repurpose (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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