Progress in 3D printing in wind energy and its role in achieving sustainability

Abstract

The application of 3D printing technology in the wind energy sector has garnered considerable interest recently owing to its ability to curtail the waste of materials, reduce manufacturing costs, and enhance performance. Although previous studies have investigated the impact of 3D printing in various industries, there is still a notable knowledge gap regarding its potential role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically in the field of wind turbine technology. This study sheds light on 3D printing's potential to advance SDGs through a bibliometric analysis. It also aims to examine the materials and techniques employed in 3D printing technology for wind energy applications and evaluate the extent to which SDGs have been integrated into the existing literature. Based on the bibliometric analysis, the results indicated that SDG 7, which pertains to affordable and clean energy, has been the subject of the most extensive research in this particular domain, accounting for 58% of the total contributions related to the SDGs. This can be justified by the contribution of 3D printing to energy and emissions reductions, with 54.8% energy recovery. Additionally, the impact of wind turbine 3D printing on the SDGs was only noticeable for three other goals that are SDGs 8, 12, and 13, with percentages of 8%, 8%, and 9%, respectively. The impact of 3D printing was also clear on SDG 13, as it reduces CO2 emissions by ∼25% in comparison to conventional manufacturing technologies. On the other hand, the involvement of all remaining SDGs was insignificant where no goal accounted for more than 3%. This highlights the necessity for additional investigation in these domains to enhance the sustainability and social impacts of wind turbines produced through 3D printing.