The circular economy is now at the forefront of global discussion, driven by growing concern over the speed at which natural resources are being consumed. Moving away from a traditional linear model, where products are used and then discarded, towards a circular system, in which materials and components are kept in use for as long as possible, is essential for delivering a more sustainable and resilient future.
In the wind energy sector, a proven and scalable model for reuse, remanufacture, or end-of-life management has yet to be fully established. Over the next 30 years, more than 5,000 wind turbines are expected to reach the end of their operational life, creating the risk of over 70 million tonnes of turbine waste unless robust circular solutions are developed.
The University of Strathclyde and Renewable Parts have completed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership focused on wind turbine decommissioning and circularity. The project contributed to developing practical reuse and remanufacturing solutions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. To date, the work has produced solutions for key nacelle components, including yaw system sub-components, while also addressing the broader challenges associated with different turbine designs and their many constituent components.
