A new Chinese technology allows the reuse of disused wind turbine blades to pave roads , transforming industrial waste into useful resources. This breakthrough is achieved thanks to a research team from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, which has been working for five years on an innovative solution.
The proposal is based on a combination of crushing and chemical treatment to modify the wind blades , which are made of composite materials such as fiberglass, epoxy resin and carbon fiber, materials that are traditionally difficult to recycle.
A challenge of complexity overcome with wind turbines
Wind turbine blades, due to their high strength and light weight characteristics, are one of the main challenges in the recycling industry . While other components such as towers and gearboxes can be easily recycled, the blades present a challenge due to their durability and resistance to inclement weather. This technology, however, has proven to be an effective solution to reuse these materials in asphalt and concrete mixtures , which can be applied in road pavements.
In collaboration with a local construction company, the research team carried out a test project on a section of the Qingfu Expressway in Lanzhou using asphalt modified with these recycled materials .
According to English News , Wang Zhaoli, deputy general manager of the construction company, said initial results had been promising: the road surface showed no cracks, ruts or flaking , validating the effectiveness of recycling wind turbine blades in road infrastructure.
China bets on a greener future
This innovative recycling approach represents a breakthrough in the sustainability of the renewable energy industry and supports China’s green development goals. By turning these blades into useful resources, China could reduce the amount of industrial waste, while promoting the development of more sustainable infrastructure.
The technology is also seen as a key piece in achieving the nation’s climate goals of carbon neutrality by 2060. Wind turbine blade recycling could become a viable solution on a large scale, bringing environmental benefits and boosting economic development in the green building industry.
A step towards sustainable construction
Tang Zhicheng, leader of the research team, said that if the approach is implemented on a large scale, decommissioned wind turbine blades could become valuable urban resources, contributing to the creation of “urban minerals” and promoting the circular cycling of materials.
The innovation of turning wind turbine blades into road paving material has the potential to change the construction industry and also plays an important role in the sustainability of renewable energy and in mitigating climate change.
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Source: China Daily
Source: Shutterstock
