Siemens Gamesa RecyclableBlades leaving Hull for the Kaskasi windfarm, where they are now in operation (source: Siemens Gamesa)
Siemens Gamesa has confirmed the first wind turbine fitted with fully recyclable blades has been installed at RWE’s Kaskasi offshore windfarm and is generating electricity
Siemens Gamesa offshore business unit chief executive Marc Becker said installation of the ‘RecyclableBlade’ technology at the German offshore windfarm was part of a plan to have fully recyclable wind turbines by 2040. “With RecyclableBlade technology, we can create a virtuous, circular economy,” said Mr Becker.
Wind turbine blades are made up of a combination of materials embedded in resin. Utilising Siemens Gamesa’s RecyclableBlade technology enables all of these materials to be reclaimed and used in new products at the end of the blade’s lifespan.
RWE Renewables chief executive offshore wind Sven Utermöhlen said testing the world’s first recyclable wind turbine blades under operational conditions at the Kaskasi windfarm “is a significant step advancing the sustainability of wind turbines.”
A number of turbines at the windfarm will be equipped with the Siemens Gamesa B81 RecyclableBlades.
The RecyclableBlade technology was developed in Aalborg, Denmark, and the blades were manufactured in Hull in the UK.
The RecyclableBlade technology is also available for the 108-m B108 blades used on the SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine and the 115-m B115 blades on the company’s SG 14-222 DD turbines.
