Overview
Offshore wind plays an essential role in Scotland’s plans to reach net-zero, with thousands of turbines being erected and built as part of the transition away from fossil fuels.
However, when giant turbine blades reach the end of their working lives, there are only two options for managing the waste: landfill or combustion at a significant energy cost.
With waste from wind turbine blades alone expected to reach around two million tonnes globally by 2050, the search for a feasible method of blade recycling is on.
The project
Progress is a £2million three-year project that involves a consortium led by CompositesUK with support from Aker Offshore Wind and Scottish researchers to ensure a more sustainable future for the global wind industry.
Built on a revolutionary method developed by the University of Strathclyde to separate the glass fibre and resin components in composites for reprocessing, the project aims to accelerate the drive towards net zero emissions and create new skills and job opportunities in the UK.