Optimal location for Recycling of wind turbine blades: a challenge for the circular economy

Abstract

The accelerated path towards the decarbonization of the economy has raised the demand for wind capacity at an exponential rate, at the end of 2021 the global installed capacity reached 840 GW. The useful life of the turbines ranges between 20 and 25 years, which implies that the volume of recyclable material increases proportionally. Currently, 85% of wind turbines are recycled, but the goal is to achieve a recyclability rate of 100%. The blades represent a challenge for the sector, their complex composition of fiberglass, carbon or different resins, make the recycling process difficult. There are different technologies such as mechanical, thermal and chemical recycling that are constantly improving. In fact, the European Union has given priority to the financing of recycling projects, specifically Spain, from the Ministry of Ecological Transition it proposes a line of 150 million euros for different aid programs, including the blade recycling program. In this area, the main objective of this work is to propose an optimal location methodology for blade recycling companies, incorporating economic, technical, political and environmental factors that favor the principles of the circular economy