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Turbine component from Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm finds new life in UK industries
A damaged turbine blade from Vattenfall’s Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm has been recycled by Northern Ireland based company Plaswire.
The process will give new life to the old blade by turning it into RX Polymer, a material used for construction, packaging, furniture and logistics parts, Vattenfall said.
Being able to recycle old turbine blades within the UK is more environmentally friendly than sending them further afield, which can produce more carbon emissions as a result of the distances the old component must travel to be processed, it added.
Although 90% of a wind turbine is already recyclable, turbine blades are made of glass-fibre reinforced composite materials and are therefore more challenging to process.
This year Vattenfall has expanded its targets to recycle all decommissioned turbine blades and other components by 2030.
Outside of the UK, Vattenfall has been exploring using old blades for construction, solar panel framing and as noise barriers.
Most recently the concept of using the components as floating islands with space for housing and play areas was tested at Dutch Design Week.
Head of environment and sustainability at Vattenfall’s business area wind Eva Julius-Philipp said: "As the wind industry continues to grow to provide fossil-free energy across the globe, Vattenfall is committed to promoting a circular economy which reduces environmental impacts throughout the entire product lifecycle.
"Transforming decommissioned blades into new material is a crucial step in ensuring sustainable end of life solutions for wind turbine components." |
