Wind & chemical sectors to work for wind turbine recycling
July 09, 2019 - Belgium
WindEurope, Cefic (the European Chemical Industry Council) and EUCIA (the European Composites Industry Association) have created a cross-sector platform to advance novel approaches to the recycling of wind turbine blades. WindEurope is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind power in Europe and worldwide, in over 35 countries.
In 2018, wind energy supplied 14 per cent of the electricity in the EU with 130,000 wind turbines and this number will only grow in the coming decades. Wind turbines blades are made up of a composite material, which boosts the performance of wind energy by allowing lighter and longer blades. Today, 2.5 million tons of composite material are in use in the wind energy sector, according to a press release by Cefic.
In the next five years, 12,000 wind turbines are expected to be decommissioned. Broadening the range of recycling options is critical for the industry’s development.
“Wind energy is an increasingly important part of Europe’s energy mix. The first generation of wind turbines are now starting to come to the end of their operational life and be replaced by modern turbines. Recycling the old blades is a top priority for us, and teaming up with the chemical and compositors industries will enable us to do it the most effective way,” WindEurope CEO, Giles Dickson said.
“The chemical industry plays a decisive role in the transition to a circular economy by investing in the research and development of new materials, which make wind turbine blades more reliable, affordable and recyclable. Innovation is born from collaboration and we look forward to working together to advance wind turbine blade recycling,” Cefic director general, Marco Mensink said.
“The wind energy sector has always been at the forefront of using composites as they are instrumental to sustainable energy generation. With this collaboration, we hope to set a great industry standard that ultimately will also help customers in other industries like marine and building and infrastructure,” EUCIA president, Roberto Frassine said. (GK)
In 2018, wind energy supplied 14 per cent of the electricity in the EU with 130,000 wind turbines and this number will only grow in the coming decades. Wind turbines blades are made up of a composite material, which boosts the performance of wind energy by allowing lighter and longer blades. Today, 2.5 million tons of composite material are in use in the wind energy sector, according to a press release by Cefic.
In the next five years, 12,000 wind turbines are expected to be decommissioned. Broadening the range of recycling options is critical for the industry’s development.
“Wind energy is an increasingly important part of Europe’s energy mix. The first generation of wind turbines are now starting to come to the end of their operational life and be replaced by modern turbines. Recycling the old blades is a top priority for us, and teaming up with the chemical and compositors industries will enable us to do it the most effective way,” WindEurope CEO, Giles Dickson said.
“The chemical industry plays a decisive role in the transition to a circular economy by investing in the research and development of new materials, which make wind turbine blades more reliable, affordable and recyclable. Innovation is born from collaboration and we look forward to working together to advance wind turbine blade recycling,” Cefic director general, Marco Mensink said.
“The wind energy sector has always been at the forefront of using composites as they are instrumental to sustainable energy generation. With this collaboration, we hope to set a great industry standard that ultimately will also help customers in other industries like marine and building and infrastructure,” EUCIA president, Roberto Frassine said. (GK)