Sustainable solutions: Wind turbine recycling
We aim to minimise the environmental impact of decommissioned wind turbine blades by exploring sustainable solutions. One such solution involves reusing the materials used in the blades, in line with the cradle-to-cradle principle. To this end, we have partnered with a company in Aalborg that processes wind turbine blades and recycles the fibreglass to produce noise barriers. These barriers protect communities from the noise pollution associated with heavy traffic or industrial activity. This innovative solution not only provides a new lease of life for our turbine blade materials but also helps to improve the quality of life for those living in affected areas.
To manufacture noise barriers from decommissioned wind turbine blades, the material is carefully broken down into pieces measuring approximately 1x2 meters. Subsequently, the material undergoes a fine-breaking process and is sorted into various sizes. Following processing and sorting, the material is packed into cassettes, which typically contain around 75% of its weight in recycled fibreglass. These cassettes are then mounted into steel profiles, resulting in a finished noise barrier that is capable of lasting for at least 25 years.
The reuse of decommissioned turbine blades results in significant reductions in fibreglass waste annually, which would otherwise require disposal. Utilizing recycled fibreglass in noise barriers offers several environmental advantages, including the preservation of Earth's resources, the reduction of CO2 emissions by replacing more energy-intensive materials, and the minimization of waste production.
