When driving down long highways across rural areas, it's not uncommon to come across wind farms. These massive structures can stand up to 300 feet high and can be mesmerizing to take in. The wind energy generated from wind turbines is the fastest-growing renewable energy source in many countries.

The question is: how can companies like Enel ensure that these incredible structures continue to drive sustainable progress? As you can imagine, wind turbines are very complex. With more than 8,000 distinct parts in a single structure, companies working in the industry must ensure that a circular approach is integrated throughout the value chain.

Wind turbine blades are one of the largest components to take into consideration. Averaging about 200 feet long, these pieces have the potential to be used as a reliable material source for new products once they are no longer in use. This was the objective of Enel Green Power’s latest ideation challenge, which focused on producing glass wool and insulating building materials from wind turbine blades.

Maintaining circularity throughout

“Innovation helps us create new materials,” asserts Salvatore Bernabei, CEO at Enel Green Power. He continues: “We must invest in new companies and technologies that can complement renewables and our processes.” At Enel, we understand our responsibility to the planet, and that is why we want to ensure that a circular approach is implemented in as many of our processes as possible.” At Enel, we understand our responsibility to the planet, and that is why we want to ensure that a circular approach is implemented in as many of our processes as possible.

The average useful life of wind turbines is about 20 years. After this period, the mechanical and structural properties of these pieces decay. Refurbishments might be necessary to extend their longevity for a few more years, or the wind turbines are dismantled. Whereas most wind turbine components are quite easy to recycle, there is a small non-metallic portion of components that is complicated to reuse: the blades of the turbines. These are mostly made of composite materials (typically glass/carbon fibers and an epoxy matrix), plus some other minor materials like glue and coating, making this task particularly challenging.

The challenge launched was aimed at finding the right solution to convert these pieces into new materials in order to further reduce the impact of our renewable fleet. Understanding that these pieces are usually used in the building sector for potential final users, Enel Green Power (EGP) was searching for more specific and suitable processes and products for which they could be used. From a sustainable development standpoint, the challenge contributed to SDG 9, building resilient infrastructure, SDG 11, creating sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12, maintaining responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13, taking climate action. and SDG 13, taking climate action.