Solutions provided by ECORES WIND

Wind energy is pivotal to the European Union’s pursuit of a carbon-neutral future, yet the infrastructure supporting this green transition ironically poses significant environmental challenges. As Europe aims to meet ambitious climate goals, including the EU’s target of 45% renewable energy by 2030, the issue of waste management for aging wind turbines becomes increasingly urgent. Wind turbines, especially their blades made of composite materials like glass and carbon fibers, are difficult to recycle due to the non-recyclable nature of thermoset plastics. With an expected decommissioning rate of 52,000 tonnes of blades annually by 2030, the current practice of landfilling these materials is both unsustainable and increasingly legislated against in several European countries.

The ECORES WIND initiative is addressing these challenges by developing innovative resin systems tailored for wind turbine applications that promote circularity and environmental sustainability. By focusing on novel circular resin formulations such as acrylic, biobased epoxy, and depolymerizable closed-loop epoxy (DCLE), ECORES WIND aims to enhance the recyclability and lifecycle sustainability of wind turbine components. These new materials not only promise to reduce the environmental impact during production but also improve the efficiency and feasibility of decommissioning processes, allowing for the repurposing and reuse of wind turbine components in a cost-effective manner.

To ensure the successful adoption of these circular resins, ECORES WIND is also focused on compatibility with existing manufacturing processes and rigorous life-cycle performance validation. The project integrates advanced computational methods and life prediction techniques to guarantee that these environmentally friendly resins meet or exceed the performance standards of conventional materials. Through close collaboration with industry stakeholders and comprehensive life cycle assessments, ECORES WIND is setting the stage for these innovations to scale up to industrial levels, ultimately paving the way for widespread adoption across the wind energy sector.

By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry partners and academic institutions, ECORES WIND seeks to standardize best practices for integrating circular materials into the wind industry. This effort not only supports the EU’s environmental goals but also drives the wind energy sector toward a more sustainable and economically viable future.