Modern wind turbines are growing taller, bigger and more powerful. They offer the potential for reliable, abundant energy. But what happens to the ageing fleet? The industry is now scrambling to avoid a waste problem, giving old turbines a second lease of life. The Down to Earth team takes a closer look.
The first generation of wind farms in Europe were built in the 1990s, mostly in Germany, Denmark and Spain. Fast forward to today and many of those wind turbines are nearing the end of their working lives. While 85 percent of the total mass of a wind turbine can be recycled, blades often end up in landfill or incinerated. It's an awkward conundrum for an industry that's become a symbol of clean energy and sustainability. As wind farms reach the age of retirement, nearly 52,000 tonnes of blades will be decommissioned every year by 2030. Before they turn into waste, scientists and the industry itself are looking for ways to recycle or upcycle those blades.
