Iberdrola's US-based subsidiary, Avangrid, has collaborated with startup WindLoop to explore a groundbreaking method for recycling wind turbine blades. As part of its dedication to the energy transition, the company has contributed 130 kilos of decommissioned blades from the Baffin wind farm in Texas.
“Avangrid is one of America's most innovative leaders in renewable energy, and this is yet another example of our forward-thinking approach to accelerating a clean energy transition across the United States,” expressed Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “We recognize the great challenges in front of us, and we are helping lay the groundwork to find new and efficient methods to recycle blades that will improve the circularity of our industry.”
Recycling wind turbine blades has long presented challenges due to transportation costs and material extraction complexities. WindLoop's approach addresses these issues with two key components: an on-site blade shredder to reduce transportation costs and a process utilizing green chemistry principles to separate blade materials effectively. This innovative solution aims to recover over 90% of turbine blade material and 97% of their overall value.
“For a future powered by solar, wind, and energy storage, we need to minimize waste and ensure that materials are recycled for the next wave of clean energy manufacturing,” emphasized Shubh Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of WindLoop. “Currently, there is no large-scale industrial process for recycling wind turbine blades, and companies are facing increasing pressure to find recycling facilities that offer circular recycling solutions. WindLoop seeks to bridge this gap.”
Avangrid's commitment to sustainability extends to establishing a circular process to maintain materials' high value for the long term. Laney Brown, Vice President of Sustainability at Avangrid, underscored this commitment, stating, “Sustainability is at the core of every decision we make at Avangrid, and serves as a guiding principle in our business.”
As the US wind industry matures, finding a viable solution for recycling turbine components becomes increasingly crucial. Repowering initiatives, which involve replacing aging turbine parts, highlight the necessity of sustainable practices to ensure the longevity and environmental integrity of wind projects nationwide.
