Repurposing EoL WTB Components into a Large-Scale PV-Floating Demonstrator

Mário Moutinho, Ricardo Rocha, David Atteln, Philipp Johst, Robert Böhm, Konstantina-Roxani Chatzipanagiotou, Evangelia Stamkopoulou, Elias P. Koumoulos and Andreia Araujo ()
Additional contact information
Mário Moutinho: INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ricardo Rocha: INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
David Atteln: Faculty of Engineering, HTWK Leipzig—University of Applied Sciences, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany
Philipp Johst: Faculty of Engineering, HTWK Leipzig—University of Applied Sciences, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany
Robert Böhm: Faculty of Engineering, HTWK Leipzig—University of Applied Sciences, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 132, 04277 Leipzig, Germany
Konstantina-Roxani Chatzipanagiotou: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions SNC, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Evangelia Stamkopoulou: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions SNC, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Elias P. Koumoulos: IRES—Innovation in Research & Engineering Solutions SNC, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Andreia Araujo: INEGI—Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Campus da FEUP, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-29

Abstract: The growing volume of decommissioned wind turbine blades (WTBs) poses substantial challenges for end-of-life (EoL) material management, particularly within the composite repurposing and recycling strategies. This study investigates the repurposing of EoL WTB segments in a full-scale demonstrator for a photovoltaic (PV) floating platform. The design process is supported by a calibrated numerical model replicating the structure’s behaviour under representative operating conditions. The prototype reached Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) through laboratory-scale wave basin testing, under irregular wave conditions with heights up to 0.22 m. Structural assessment validates deformation limits and identifies critical zones using composite failure criteria. A comparison between two configurations underscores the importance of load continuity and effective load distribution. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates environmental impact of the repurposed solution. Results indicate that the demonstrator’s footprint is comparable to those of conventional PV-floating installations reported in the literature. Furthermore, overall sustainability can be significantly enhanced by reducing transport distances associated with repurposed components. The findings support the structural feasibility and environmental value of second-life applications for composite WTB segments, offering a circular and scalable pathway for their integration into aquatic infrastructures.

Keywords: wind turbine; wind turbine blades; decommissioning; repurposing; life cycle assessment (LCA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8717/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/19/8717/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8717-:d:1760383

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().