Wind energy emissions can be traced to upstream construction and manufacturing with negligible emissions during operation. Traditional fossil fuel energy sources result in significant carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions-on a continuous basis. The carbon footprint depicts the total greenhouse gases emitted throughout the lifecycle of the plant. When evaluating if an energy source is environmentally friendly, it is important to consider the size of the source’s carbon footprint. Vestas announced earlier this year it will chemically separate composite fibers from blades’ resin so that glass and carbon fibers can be reused in the manufacture of new blades.Recycled blade material will be used for cement through a new kiln processing technology. GE Renewable Energy recently announced a Blade Recycling Contract with Veolia to recycle blades from its onshore turbine fleet.Other OEMs have followed similar courses of action: This development comes after the company’s commitment to focus on recyclability and sustainability-including ensuring all turbine blades are 100% recyclable by 2030. The same turbine molds and materials can still be used with this resin as SGRE seeks to industrialize this process. Once heated by renewable energy, the resin can be fully separated from the blade’s other components making each component recyclable. The company announced it produced a fully recyclable offshore turbine blade using a new resin. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) recently made a major step forward in the development of recyclable blades. In the past year some of the largest wind turbine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have taken on the challenge of blade recycling. As has been rightfully raised, that is not an ideal solution for the wind industry. Historically, the only option was to cut the blades into smaller pieces and send them to landfill. Wind turbine blades are one element of a wind farm that have posed a significant challenge at the end of their life. Wind farm electric cabling and many other electric components can also be recycled as scrap metal. Turbine tower foundations are all concrete and steel, which can be razed, recycled, or reused as fill. Aluminum, used for miscellaneous components: 0%–2% of total mass.Copper, used for miscellaneous cabling, lighting, and protection systems: 1% of total mass.Cast iron, used for hub: 5%–17% of total mass.Fiberglass and/or carbon fiber, wood, and resin or plastic, used for blades: 11%–16% of total mass.Steel, used for towers and nacelles: 71%–79% of total mass.With a total mass component breakdown of each wind turbine as following: According to a report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), wind turbines are comprised of steel, fiberglass, resin or plastic, cast iron, copper, and aluminum. Most wind farm components can be recycled or reused at the end of their useful life. Plus, balance of plant equipment including cabling, various voltage transmission lines, civil works (including roads and fencing), and substation equipment. Wind facilities are typically comprised of wind turbines, which include major components such as rotor blades, a rotor hub, a nacelle, a generator, a tower, and a foundation. The recyclable-and non-recyclable-components of wind power To help industry stakeholders make informed decisions, we gathered and evaluated key facts and metrics on the true cost of wind energy. The implication of that photo being the wind power industry has a dirty secret thus, traditional fossil fuel energy sources may be more environmentally sustainable. Some may recall a photograph circulating on social media of a landfill filled with used wind turbine blades. Recently, questions have been raised regarding the carbon footprint size of wind power.

Wind turbine carbon footprint