Multi-lifecycle Assessment of Close-loop Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades
Kyle Pender, Filippo Romoli, Jonathan Fuller
TL;DR
This study shows that recycling wind turbine blades using thermoplastic and glass fiber can significantly reduce their environmental impact and support a circular economy.
Contribution
The study introduces lifecycle assessment of thermoplastic and glass fiber recycling methods for wind turbine blades to evaluate their environmental benefits.
Findings
Recycled thermoplastic and glass fiber products reduce global warming potential by up to 54% and 26% compared to virgin materials.
Wind blades made with recycled materials have a 27% lower cradle-to-grave global warming potential than conventional blades.
Abstract
While over 80% of materials in modern wind power installations are recyclable, the sector continues to grapple with the absence of effective, scalable, and environmentally sustainable methods for managing end-of-life wind turbine blades. Addressing the environmental impact of these blades requires not only the integration of lower-impact materials into the manufacturing process but also the advancement of recycling technologies that enable the creation of high-quality secondary materials. Such initiatives are crucial for facilitating the wind energy sector’s transition towards a circular economy. This study utilises lifecycle assessment to assess the environmental impact linked with the production of recycled glass fibre and recycled thermoplastic (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA) products derived from composite wind blade waste. The assessment considers thermolysis recycling of…
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Taxonomy
TopicsFiber-reinforced polymer composites · Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability · Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites