Will the wind turbine blades stop

Why are wind turbine blades difficult to re-process?

Due to the nature of the materials used in wind turbine blades, namely glass fibre reinforced thermoset polymer composite, wind turbine blades are technically difficult to re-process and convert into new valuable materials.

How are wind turbine blades made?

Instead of using cloth to catch the wind like Prof Blyth and the ancient Iranians, today's turbine blades are built from composite materials - older blades from glass fibre, newer ones from carbon fibre. Such composite materials might be light and strong, but they are also extremely hard to recycle.

Should wind turbine blades be changed for an easier end-of-life processing?

To conclude this section, changing the material of wind turbine blades for an easier end-of-life processing seems only relevant when the wind turbine blade structure, the recycling process and the application for the recovered materials are considered and designed at the same time.

Can wind turbine blades be transformed into new materials?

First, end-of-life wind turbine blades are transformed into new materials. The processes transforming wind turbine blade materials were briefly summarized in this review also listing their advantages and challenges.

How long do wind turbine blades last?

With an average lifespan of 25 years, a high proportion of wind turbines across the world are approaching retirement. Made of fibreglass, wind turbine blades usually end up in landfill. Credit: Andreas Nesslinger / Shutterstock

Do wind turbine blades end up in landfill?

Made of fibreglass, wind turbine blades usually end up in landfill. Credit: Andreas Nesslinger / Shutterstock Across the world, ageing wind turbines are nearing the end of their lifespan, which begs the question of what happens to their components after they are decommissioned.