Image courtesy of Chris Yelland
It’s estimated that before 2050, we’ll generate worldwide from one of the most promising clean energy producers alone. Wind turbines, while a cheap and carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels, are only 85 percent recyclable or reusable, and their massive fiberglass blades, which are so large that they span the length of a football field, are notoriously difficult to break down and often end up deteriorating in a landfill for 20 to 25 years. Until a high-volume solution for recycling the structures becomes viable, there’s a growing trend in repurposing the pieces for , construction materials like , or pedestrian bridges as proposed by , a group devoted to finding new uses for the unused parts.
A long-time proponent of wind energy, the Danish government is receiving attention for its own initiative that tasked turbine manufacturer with upcycling the blade. The company transformed the long, curved component into an open-air shelter at the Port of Aalborg, where it protects bikes from the elements. Although Siemens Gamesa doesn’t have plans to launch a large-scale initiative for installing similar designs, it recently released new fully recyclable blades that can be turned into boats, recreational vehicle bodies, and other projects in the future. (via )
Image courtesy of Chris Yelland
Image courtesy of Siemens Gamesa
Image courtesy of Siemens Gamesa
Image courtesy of Siemens Gamesa
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