Abstract
As a result of an increasing global emphasis on renewable energy sources, the wind energy industry is growing rapidly. An inevitable by-product of this growth is an increasing volume of materials that could be wasted, which in the case of wind turbine generator blades made from composite materials, are exceptionally difficult to recycle. Alongside the waste disposal methods such as landfill and incineration, blade repurposing stands as a more circular solution. Repurposing involves taking a decommissioned blade as a whole, or cutting it to a certain shape and/or size, then using it for a different purpose, with current examples including playgrounds, pedestrian bridges, or urban furniture. There are several organisations that currently specialise in blade repurposing, but the repurposing industry on whole remains in its infancy.
This report compiles all existing blade repurposing companies and projects, discusses the potential social benefits that the solutions offer, and reviews the current challenges faced by the repurposing industry. Repurposing is seen as a circular and community-benefitting solution, and presents an opportunity for the wind industry to demonstrate a desire for complete sustainability, whilst also delivering tangible, positive social impacts. However, the current capacity of the industry does not appear to be mature enough to deal with the enormous volume of decommissioned blade wastage predicted over the coming years. Recommendations are made to Ørsted, the recipients of this report, to provide guidance should repurposing be further explored by the organisation in future