Danish company discovers new way to recycle wind turbines
Danish company Vestas recently discovered a new way to recycle wind turbines. This seems relevant insofar as numerous wind turbines are reaching the end of their lives. Vestas, in turn, promises the possibility to recycle all rotor blades.
In addition to its advantages, the energy transition also harbors some problems. Because with every solar and wind power plant that goes into operation, the question of subsequent disposal arises. So far, however, it is still unclear how obsolete systems can be recycled. However, some novel approaches already appear promising.
The Danish company Vestas, on the other hand, has been producing wind turbines in various sizes for years. Now a way has been found that makes it relatively easy to recycle all systems. Even those already piling up in landfills around the world.
Recycling wind turbines: Vestas makes it possible to recycle rotor blades
While the industry is already thinking about new materials for the construction of wind turbines, old systems are mostly made of epoxy resin. This substance bonds and strengthens the structure, but at the same time it was the main barrier to recycling existing blades. Vestas is therefore working with the epoxy resin manufacturer Olin to find a solution to the problem.
The result is a chemical process that breaks down epoxy resin back into its original components. The rotor blades of wind turbines can then be recycled and become part of new systems again. Lisa Ekstrand, Vice President of Vestas, heralded in a “new era for the wind industry” with her company.
Process will be commercialized and scaled in the next step
The next step is to scale the process and commercialize the solution. Then other manufacturers could also recycle their previously accumulated waste and put it to a new use. The company has not yet announced when that will happen.
Nevertheless, Vestas could make a significant contribution to solving a gigantic problem with this approach. So far, there has been a great fear that in the foreseeable future huge rotor blades will cover our garbage dumps. Vestas’ approach could therefore indeed herald the promised new era for the wind industry.
Also interesting:
