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End-of-life policy considerations for wind turbine blades

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  • Majewski, Peter
  • Florin, Nick
  • Jit, Joytishna
  • Stewart, Rodney A.

Abstract

Over the past ten years, the growth of wind energy has been significant. Wind power uses the kinetic energy of the wind to produce electric energy without generating green house gas emissions. However, when considering the whole life cycle of wind turbines it is obvious that wind energy is not totally clean. With a lifetime of 20–25 years for a wind turbine, it is predicted that the cumulative composite waste from blades will be needed to be recycled will be in the tens of thousands of tons worldwide by 2050. This poses a potential significant waste legacy that must be addressed. Solutions to deal with waste from wind turbine blades currently involves the three different pathways, direct deposit in a landfill, incineration, and recycling. Unfortunately, only 30% of fibre-reinforced plastic material commonly used in wind turbine blades can currently be reused to form new composite materials, with most going to the cement industry as filler material. It is important that all involved stakeholders work towards regulations that will address the management of waste coming from wind turbine blades. Fortunately, legislations exist in various jurisdictions which can be used as a model for the creation of a regulative framework for the end-of-life management of wind turbine blades.

Suggested Citation

  • Majewski, Peter & Florin, Nick & Jit, Joytishna & Stewart, Rodney A., 2022. "End-of-life policy considerations for wind turbine blades," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:164:y:2022:i:c:s1364032122004385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112538
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cherrington, R. & Goodship, V. & Meredith, J. & Wood, B.M. & Coles, S.R. & Vuillaume, A. & Feito-Boirac, A. & Spee, F. & Kirwan, K., 2012. "Producer responsibility: Defining the incentive for recycling composite wind turbine blades in Europe," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 13-21.
    2. Tremeac, Brice & Meunier, Francis, 2009. "Life cycle analysis of 4.5Â MW and 250Â W wind turbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(8), pages 2104-2110, October.
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    4. Jensen, J.P. & Skelton, K., 2018. "Wind turbine blade recycling: Experiences, challenges and possibilities in a circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 165-176.
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    1. Gennitsaris, Stavros & Sagani, Angeliki & Sofianopoulou, Stella & Dedoussis, Vassilis, 2023. "Integrated LCA and DEA approach for circular economy-driven performance evaluation of wind turbine end-of-life treatment options," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    2. Mumtaz, Hamza & Sobek, Szymon & Sajdak, Marcin & Muzyka, Roksana & Werle, Sebastian, 2023. "An experimental investigation and process optimization of the oxidative liquefaction process as the recycling method of the end-of-life wind turbine blades," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 269-278.
    3. Chen, Zhiyuan & Wang, Feng & Wang, Tieli & He, Rulin & Hu, Jieli & Li, Li & Luo, Ying & Qin, Yingling & Wang, Dingliang, 2024. "A real options approach to renewable energy module end-of-life decisions under multiple uncertainties: Application to PV and wind in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

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