Eco-efficient manufacturing: Transforming end-of-life wind turbine blade components into floats for PV-floating systems

Abstract

This study explores the innovative reuse of end-of-life (EoL) wind turbine blade (WTBs) parts as floats for photovoltaic (PV)-floating systems. In response to the growing concerns about EoL WTB waste, this study applies circular economy principles to repurpose high-value composite materials. By transforming a segment of an Enercon E40 WTB into a float for a PV-floating system, this study not only provides a sustainable solution to EoL composites, but also contributes to the development of renewable energy. The article describes the design of the PV-floating system and the lessons learned from its construction. It also provides an outlook on how such a system can be further scaled up.

Keywords

• end-of-life wind turbine blades
• circular economy
• reuse
• repurpose
• composite materials manufacturing
• photovoltaic floating systems