A Review of the Potential for the Recovery of Wind Turbine Blade Waste Materials

Psomopoulos, Constantinos S.; Kalkanis, K.; Kaminaris, Stavrοs D.; Ioannidis, George Ch.; Pachos, Pavlos

doi:10.3390/recycling4010007

Cited by 49 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The current large and ever-increasing size of the blades, however, likely makes this option impractical. The large size of the blades also hinders recycling, but on-site EOL size reduction could make transport of blades to recycling facilities easier [86].…”

Section: Some Blade Materials Are More Recyclable Than Others But Blmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design for Recycling Principles Applicable to Selected Clean Energy Technologies: Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, Electric Vehicle Batteries, and Wind Turbine Blades

Norgren

Carpenter

Heath

2020

J. Sustain. Metall.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The global growth of clean energy technology deployment will be followed by parallel growth in end-of-life (EOL) products, bringing both challenges and opportunities. Cumulatively, by 2050, estimates project 78 million tonnes of raw materials embodied in the mass of EOL photovoltaic (PV) modules, 12 billion tonnes of wind turbine blades, and by 2030, 11 million tonnes of lithium-ion batteries. Owing partly to concern that the projected growth of these technologies could become constrained by raw material availability, processes for recycling them at EOL continue to be developed. However, none of these technologies are typically designed with recycling in mind, and all of them present challenges to efficient recycling. This article synthesizes and extends design for recycling (DfR) principles based on a review of published industrial and academic best practices as well as consultation with experts in the field. Specific principles developed herein apply to crystalline-silicon PV modules, batteries like those used in electric vehicles, and wind turbine blades, while a set of broader principles applies to all three of these technologies and potentially others. These principles are meant to be useful for stakeholders—such as research and development managers, analysts, and policymakers—in informing and promoting decisions that facilitate DfR and, ultimately, increase recycling rates as a way to enhance the circularity of the clean energy economy. The article also discusses some commercial implications of DfR. Graphical Abstract

show abstract

Section: Some Blade Materials Are More Recyclable Than Others But Blmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design for Recycling Principles Applicable to Selected Clean Energy Technologies: Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, Electric Vehicle Batteries, and Wind Turbine Blades

Norgren

Carpenter

Heath

2020

J. Sustain. Metall.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These processes are composed of manufacturing to disposal steps. Generally, carbon fiber doesn't undergo combustion; however, the ignition of resin may result in broad distribution of the fibre (Dathu and Hariharan, 2020;Psomopoulos et al, 2019). The emphasis is laid on the economic viability of carbon fiber composites suited for WTB.…”

Section: Carbon Fibrementioning

confidence: 99%

“…WT are composed of about 80-85% metal, hence recycling the unit after it is decommissioned will add on the sustainable and profitable strategy towards retaining the quality (Psomopoulos et al, 2019). A comparison for options regarding end-of-life for WT blade materials (specifically Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic and Carbon Fibre-reinforced plastic), with respect to environmental impact, energy consumption and the benefits of recycling and the trends progressing for development in blade technology.…”

Section: End Of Life Optionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With regular development or improvement in designs of turbines, it becomes crucial to update recycling technologies. Market of wind energy has continuously increased consumption of FRP composites across the globe, remarking the swift and steady progress in the sector (Psomopoulos et al, 2019). Key factors of the economics involved for wind energy are capital costs (that account for design and construction) which cover grid connection, civil engineering aspects and the institutional and machinery expenditures required for the establishment of wind energy projects.…”

Section: Wind Energy Economicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Strategic Study on the Environmental Impacts of Wind Turbine Blade Materials, their Improvements, Economics and End-Life-Options

Prakash

Glivin

Kalaiselvan

et al. 2020

Energy Research Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wind energy is a great alternative to solar energy (During monsoon) along with conventional non-renewable energy sources and has a potential market growing exponentially. Modern 3 Blade HAWTs are most dominant in the market and have high efficiency. Blades are 15 to 20% of the cost of the wind turbine unit and also exposed to the environment. Therefore it is crucial to employ suitable material that has lightweight, high stiffness and strength. Carbon fibre, Glass Fibre, Timber are some materials that are used for blade manufacturing. Design can be improved by stress deformation analysis, load estimation via methodology of blade element momentum or computational simulation using deep learning. Also, by developing a bio-inspirational method via 1% Gravo-Aeroelastic Scaling (GAS), cavity optimization approach and vacuum infusion or reinforcing resins in composites, to improve mechanical properties. To prevent surface erosion due to acidic or saline or rainwater, it is coated with a protective layer. Mechanical recycling of the blade material composites is both simpler and economically viable in comparison to thermal and chemical recycling.

show abstract

“…It should additionally take into account the reuse of materials for the same or similar purposes (for example, allows polymer matrices to revert to monomers and avoids fiber damage during the process). A more detailed description of the methods of the postuse management of wind power plant blades can be found, among others, in works [11][12][13][14]. Understanding the environmental impacts associated with the appropriate selection of materials associated with different postuse management methods when designing, in the context of the lifecycle of wind power plant blades, will play a key role in determining a sustainable development strategy in this area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Control the System and Environment of Post-Production Wind Turbine Blade Waste Using Life Cycle Models. Part 1. Environmental Transformation Models

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Controlling the system—the environment of power plants is called such a transformation—their material, energy and information inputs in time, which will ensure that the purpose of the operation of this system or the state of the environment, is achieved. The transformations of systems and environmental inputs and their goals describe the different models, e.g., LCA model groups and methods. When converting wind kinetic energy into electricity, wind power plants emit literally no harmful substances into the environment. However, the production and postuse management stages of their components require large amounts of energy and materials. The biggest controlling problem during postuse management is wind power plant blades, followed by waste generated during their production. Therefore, this publication is aimed at carrying out an ecological, technical and energetical transformation analysis of selected postproduction waste of wind power plant blades based on the LCA models and methods. The research object of control was eight different types of postproduction waste (fiberglass mat, roving fabric, resin discs, distribution hoses, spiral hoses with resin, vacuum bag film, infusion materials residues, surplus mater), mainly made of polymer materials, making it difficult for postuse management and dangerous for the environment. Three groups of models and methods were used: Eco-indicator 99, IPCC and CED. The impact of analysis objects on human health, ecosystem quality and resources was controlled and assessed. Of all the tested waste, the life cycle of resin discs made of epoxy resin was characterized by the highest level of harmful technology impact on the environment and the highest energy consumption. Postuse control and management in the form of recycling would reduce the negative impact on the environment of the tested waste (in the perspective of their entire life cycle). Based on the results obtained, guidelines and models for the proecological postuse control of postproduction polymer waste of wind power plants blades were proposed.

show abstract

A Review of the Potential for the Recovery of Wind Turbine Blade Waste Materials

Cited by 49 publications

References 23 publications

Design for Recycling Principles Applicable to Selected Clean Energy Technologies: Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, Electric Vehicle Batteries, and Wind Turbine Blades

Design for Recycling Principles Applicable to Selected Clean Energy Technologies: Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules, Electric Vehicle Batteries, and Wind Turbine Blades

A Strategic Study on the Environmental Impacts of Wind Turbine Blade Materials, their Improvements, Economics and End-Life-Options

Control the System and Environment of Post-Production Wind Turbine Blade Waste Using Life Cycle Models. Part 1. Environmental Transformation Models

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About