A Novel Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method for Wind Power Plant Repowering

Ubicación óptima para Reciclaje de palas de aerogeneradores: desafío para la economía circular

“…Extreme weather events continue to prevail on the planet [1], [2], the need to meet decarbonization targets is a global priority task [3]. The implementation of renewable energy plants, is considered the backbone for the change from a system based on fossil fuels to clean energy systems [4].…”

“…However, the useful life of these plants is approximately between 20 and 25 years [8], the wind farms have the option of partially or totally repowering or dismantling their turbines, therefore, the repowering or decommissioning scenario is a symmetrical pattern to the new installation's scenario, most of the new installed capacity will be replaced by new technology, usually with higher power. For example, the case of Germany, since 2003 is practically a symmetry of the scenario of new plants in the period 1990-2020 [3], see Figure 2.…”

“…Germany. Source: [3] Both the repowering, the dismantling and the manufacturing of new turbines imply a complex waste treatment process. Most of the components of a wind turbine, such as the foundation, the tower, the gearbox components and the generator are already recyclable [9], however, the blades of wind turbines, with a complex composition of materials, represent a challenge for the sector [10].…”