The complex end-of-life of wind turbine blades: A review of the European context

The recycling of glass fibre thermoset composites in general and of wind turbine blades in particular has been investigated for many years but still remains challenging. In order to provide the reader with an overview of the challenges related to the end-of-life of wind turbine blades, this review first describes the chain of processes taking place when wind turbine blades end their service life. Key elements of this value chain are presented and discussed throughout the review. These include the estimation and prediction of the volume of wind turbine blade waste, the legislation and standards framing the processes of the value chain and the technical processes transforming wind turbine blades into new valuable materials and their applications. The review highlights the need of solutions addressing the entire value chain and ends with discussing the potentials of circular economy and life cycle engineering to facilitate the implementation of sustainable solutions. To provide a holistic picture of the sustainability of these solutions, the mechanisms of social acceptance and technology perception are also discussed.

Automated summary

This review discusses the challenges related to the end-of-life of wind turbine blades, including the estimation and prediction of waste volume, legislation and standards, technical processes for transforming blades, and the potential of circular economy and life cycle engineering. Social acceptance and technology perception mechanisms are also discussed.