Green construction materials using the wind turbine blade waste (Grønne byggematerialer ved hjælp af vindmøllevinge affald)

The repowering of the wind energy sector generates a substantial waste stream of end-of-life wind blades and nacelles from turbine motors that need to be addressed. These blades are being deposited directly in landfills and include high levels of potentially hazardous contents for the local environment in particular epoxy resin and their decay products. Currently, there are no circular options available on the market, with the only exception being a limited co-processing practice within the (carbon-intensive) cement industry. One of the promising technologies – geopolymer – is regarded as a cement alternative binder, which can reduce CO2 emissions largely. Utilizing crushed blade waste as a precursor for geopolymer can immobilize hazardous elements, simultaneously lowering the cost and CO2 emissions associated with cement/concrete products. This project will develop high-end applications of blade waste in geopolymer, which will transfer the potentially hazardous blade waste into green construction materials for the building industry.