R3WIND - Repairable, recyclable and re-usable wind turbine blades

Project Description

Wind blades are currently manufactured from epoxy or polyester resins and have not been designed for a circular economy incorporating disassembly and recyclability. By 2030, an estimated 570 million tonnes of blade waste will be generated in the EU alone, creating a need for alternative management techniques for wind-turbine blade waste. R3WIND proposes to design a sustainable blade that integrates techniques for disassembly, repair and increasing the energy generation by the turbine over its lifespan. To address the end-of life sustainability of the blades, efficient recycling will be techniques will be developed which will minimise waste and contribute to circular economy. The recycled blades will be repurposed into composite boards that can be used in various industries. Finally, conducting a comprehensive life cycle analysis will assist in understanding and providing a second life to materials of composite blades, guiding towards more sustainable practices at every stage.