Valorization of end-of-life wind turbine blades as an ingredient in the concrete of new wind turbine foundations (circular economy)

PROJECT COST:

252 500 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

75 000 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

Thousands of tons of end-of-life wind turbine blades are currently buried, posing a major environmental challenge. This pilot project proposes to valorize these blades by transforming them into fibers for fiber-reinforced concrete. It is a technical, economic, and environmental feasibility study of a novel circular process.

The main objective is to optimize a concrete mix incorporating these recycled GRP fibers and to verify its performance during the in-situ pouring of a 1,000 m³ wind turbine foundation. The innovation lies in the complete integration of the valorization cycle: blade dismantling, cutting, shredding, wood separation, fiber quality control, and custom concrete formulation. Expected benefits include a significant reduction in GHG emissions, a decrease in composite waste, and the creation of a new local industrial sector. This demonstrator paves the way for the widespread adoption of eco-responsible solutions for energy infrastructure.