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Wind Turbine Blade Decommissioning in Brazil: The Economic Performance of Energy Recovery in a Cement Kiln Compared to Industrial Landfill Site

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  • Mário Joel Ramos Júnior

    (Industrial Management and Technology, Institute of Environment, SENAI CIMATEC University, Orlando Gomes Avenue, 1845, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil)

  • Diego Lima Medeiros

    (Clean Technologies Network (TECLIM), Federal University of Maranhão, MA-140 Highway, Balsas 65800-000, Brazil)

  • Joyce Batista Azevedo

    (Institute of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Federal University of Bahia, Telégrafo Street, Camaçari 42802-721, Brazil)

  • Edna dos Santos Almeida

    (Industrial Management and Technology, Institute of Environment, SENAI CIMATEC University, Orlando Gomes Avenue, 1845, Salvador 41650-010, Brazil)

Abstract

This study compares the logistics of decommissioning wind turbine blades for energy recovery in a cement kiln (proposed scenario) to industrial landfill site disposal and coke fuel in a cement kiln combined (base scenario) to check the financial cost of the operation in each scenario. The wind farm coordinates, wind turbine blade mass, and logistics costs of the 760 wind farms in Northeast Brazil were used to determine the location of a material processing center (MPC) for wind turbine blade waste. The findings showed that the cost of the proposed scenario was higher than that of the base scenario when a single MPC was considered to serve the Northeast region. However, the proposed scenario was preferable when installing decentralized MPCs to serve the Northeast region. The installation of four additional decentralized MPCs shows that energy recovery is a more favorable technological route in the economic performance for disposing of 96% of the wind turbine blades in operation in the Northeast region, which represents 210,188 tonnes. Therefore, the gradual implementation of MPCs should consider a wind turbine blade decommissioning plan to support the energy recovery potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Mário Joel Ramos Júnior & Diego Lima Medeiros & Joyce Batista Azevedo & Edna dos Santos Almeida, 2025. "Wind Turbine Blade Decommissioning in Brazil: The Economic Performance of Energy Recovery in a Cement Kiln Compared to Industrial Landfill Site," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:1:p:365-:d:1561060
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. 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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