Circular Economy of Wind Turbines Waste in Constructions and Cities

Abstract

AbstractWind energy is one of the most widely distributed renewable energy sources. Generally, wind turbines have an expected lifetime of 20–25 years after which decommissioning is expected. Life cycle assessments show that optimal recycling at the end of life is of economic and environmental interest and is in line with the principles of a circular economy. Despite these benefits, current recycling processes cannot guarantee high-end material quality, but the reuse of parts of wind turbines as construction elements in buildings and infrastructures has been demonstrated to be a suitable option. This study presents an overview of wind power installations in Europe, emphasizing the typology of farms, onshore and offshore, and trends of the wind industry that promote an increase in the size and power of wind turbines. The study aims to make it clear how the different types of materials used in wind turbines, such as steel, iron, aluminium, copper, polymers, glass and carbon fibres, change according to the development of the technology. Moreover, examples of reusing wind turbine components in cities and buildings are collected and illustrated to provide a panorama of the potential for the reuse of these components in the concept of a circular economy in the construction sector.