We have a problem with wind blades and another with concrete. Spain has decided to resolve both at the same time

In the Algete workshops, north of Madrid, the remains of a crushed wind blade await their second life. For years he captured the wind in a park in Cadiz; Today it is part of an experimental concrete slab. Spain is finding an unusual way to unite two environmental challenges: the recycling of thousands of wind blades that accumulate as waste and the urgency of reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, one of the most polluting materials on the planet. From the blades to the ground. Acciona and Holcim have developed successfully a new sustainable concrete made from recycled wind turbine blades. The project, named Blade2Buildis part of a European innovation initiative in the circular economy. The prototype consists of a slab of more than 120 square meters built in the Demoparque of the Acciona Technology Center, in Algete (Madrid). As the company explainsthe composition incorporates materials from wind turbine blades in fiber form as a partial replacement for natural aggregates. In other words, crushed shovels are used to replace some of the gravel or sand normally used in concrete. The mix. The base of the new concrete is an ecological version developed by Holcima type of material designed to minimize its environmental impact. In this case, the formula includes 11% recycled components, including fibers from crushed wind blades. This technology, known as ECOCycle, allows you to reuse materials that would otherwise end up as waste, without compromising the strength or durability of the product. A low CO₂ emission cement is also used, manufactured with less clinker —the substance obtained by heating limestone to more than 1,400 °C and which is mainly responsible for the emissions of traditional cement. According to Holcim This combination reduces the carbon footprint of the final product by almost half. In addition, the glass fibers and resins of the blades act as internal reinforcement, improving the material’s resistance to traction and fractures. The energy that once moved with the wind now settles in the earth. The dilemma of the shovels. In the coming years, thousands of wind blades will stop spinning in Europe. Silent, gigantic, they will remain on dry land after two decades facing the wind. It is calculated which will be about 14,000an avalanche of materials—fiberglass, carbon and resins—that will add up to between 40,000 and 60,000 tons of waste. They are made to last, not to disappear. And that is the great dilemma: their resistance, the same that made them useful, now condemns them. In the United States, the consequences of not planning the end of the cycle have already been seen: in 2020, an aerial photo of a landfill in Wyoming, taken by Bloombergshowed hundreds of half-buried wind blades. The scene went viral and served as a warning to Europe, which is now working on solutions that allow its materials to be recovered instead of burying them. ¿Does it really work? The first trials are promising. According to Holcimthe resulting concrete maintains the necessary structural properties and meets durability standards. The shredded blade fibers not only reinforce the material, but also improve its flexibility and resistance to fracture. It is not the only case. The University of Burgos has been experimenting with its own method for several years, based on the use of TPA (Wind Turbine Blade Grinding), a material obtained by cutting and grinding the blades into tiny fragments. The Sustainable Construction Research group (Sucons) has even paved a 50-meter street on the Milanera campus with this type of concrete. But it is not Acciona’s first project. As part of the #TurbineMade initiative, one of the blades in the Tahivilla park in Cadiz was transformed into a limited series of sports shoes manufactured together with the El Ganso brand. As explained by the companythose recycled soles symbolize their commitment to achieving 100% sustainable materials in their collections. The paradox is unique. The same materials that once helped produce clean energy can now be used to reduce emissions from the most polluting industry. If concrete was the material of the 20th century, perhaps the material of the 21st is the one that manages to build without destroying. And in Spain, at least, they have already begun to do so. Shovel by shovel. Image | FreePik and FreePik Xataka | Spain has become the first European country to break with gas. The only problem is that the invoice says something else.

Cosplayers Carnival, stuffed blades and a crowded city

“We had to come,” Pedro and María tell me, who hope patiently in the crowded bus on the way to the Comic-within the distant Palace of Congresses of Malaga, half an hour from the city center. Crowded with Wolverine, Leias, Narutos and Wednesday Addamswe squeeze among the Malaga who usually take that bus every day at the same time, but with much less carnival on board. The vehicle no longer admits more passengers and the driver has to stand up to shout to the row of (very obvious) attending the Comic-with that stay on land because there are nothing but behind comes another bus that goes directly to the Palacio de Congresos. The disappointment faces are inevitable, but Better that they get used tobecause comic-with is 5% aspiration, 5% expiration, and the remaining 90%, queue. To access the halls of acts, to enter the Congress Palace itself, to get food or drink water and, inside the exhibitors zone, to buy in stores. And not everyone is happy with the management of queues, which as we have often explained in reference to the attraction parks, It’s an art. In any case, good humor prevails among most attendees, crowned by extravagant headdresses, rubber prostheses, impossible wigs Or, why not, very economical costumes bought of urgency in Aliexpress. That is, above all, lto Comic-Con Fiesta: A parade of disguised people, in tones and styles that are the most sophisticated to the most homemade, and that give a colorful and unique environment to the event. “I come from Galicia with my partner, it was he who introduced me to this world, although it was already something that was inside me, I like to disguise myself since I am little,” Patricia tells us, perfectly dressed in Wonder Woman. “It was a very important event, always in the United States and here for the first time, and had to come,” he tells us, almost repeating the words of Pedro and María. Rubén has also come for free, but in an almost more extreme key, wrapped in a sophisticated (but completely homemade) characterization of Vegeta, ‘Dragon Ball’: “I have always been interested in the cosplay, but it is my first time.” And he has also attended the margin of societies or tribes: “When the tickets came out, and since I didn’t want to accompany any friend, I came alone” It is a very particular mixture of ingredients, which allows to see Batman taking a picture with the protagonist of ‘Silksong‘, While the improbable meeting is enlivened by the frantic concert, at the blow of the Sid of Comodore 64, of Narcisound interpreting the oriental melodies of ‘The Last Ninja’. That clash of generations and interests is what gives life to an event like this. To buy That and the merchandising. The merchandise, which would say yogurt of ‘Spaceballs’ (wink for fans that already exceed quarantine): in the area of ​​tenderetes and blast we find stuffed animals of cats out of the darkest memes of the Internet, stickers of the ”K-Pop Demon Hunters‘, authentic katanas but skipped at 45 euros and, of course, the inevitable funkos. It was these collectible dolls that starred in one of the first controversies of the edition: collector specimens that were only sold in the event disappeared quickly, when a few buyers hired with all the specimens available after tail hours. This stands area is the most busy edition, and where they are mixed as an exquisite post-capitalist temptation the darkest hobbies of visitors and the merchandising more unlikely. But not everything were creep purchases: visitors also crowded to get on the motorcycle of ‘Tron Ares’ (sequel to which an exclusive advance will be seen in the next few days), to take a photo in front of a Colossal Bowser de Lego or to search in the video game drawers, in the occasional second -hand store. They were not the most extravagant positions: a bank promoted manipulation with the photos made in their own stand… that was located next to the Artist Alley, the area of ​​refuge and compadre of the cartoonists, who commented with suspicion the lack of forecast of the organization by locating the bank of the bank just there, next to the guild that with more fear contemplates the advent of the generative IAS. It is also part of the nature of the comic-with: a bite of essences that, very often, take to kill. Because, obviously, not everything is kawaii pink. Complaints about the tails, as we said above, have been constant Among those who have. approached to the Palacio de Congresos: they are the minimum common denominator of each corner of the event, as some visitors have discovered with disgust (a quick walk through The social networks of the Comic-Con It allows to take the pulse to discontent). This was expressed by Azahara, which has a couple of hours ahead to access the Funkos store: “I usually go to the Barcelona manga hall, and although so many people are not there, it is also a multudinary event, and it is much better organized. You make queues, but they are fluid, orderly queues.” Pedro and Maria also agreed: “The issue of queues is worse than normal, really.” It might seem that l30,000 visitors a day calculating the organization may have partially overwhelm the eventwhich has also received abundant complaints about the prices and shortage of food, at a critical hour in which they were generated … more queues. On the back bus, with the sun at half-mast communicating that it is fine for today of hobbies and sponsorships, the fatigue marks the disheveled (and unmasked) faces of Spider-Man and Deadpool, both with signs on the face of a battle much more bloody than those we see in Marvel movies. They have made more queues than the human body is willing to tolerate in one day. Header | Xataka In Xataka | 27 jewels of the European comic that are worth discovering

We have a problem with used wind blades. A German startup believes to have a solution: make them wood

At some point he had to arrive, because in the end, everything comes to an end, even the materials for renewable energy. First it was the turn of the solar panels, which now have Recycling centers. Then, it was the turn of the wind energy that their blades have found a second life in different structuresfrom mini homes even jelly beans. But so far, no one had achieved what he has achieved in the wind sector: starting from scratch with completely recyclable materials. 100% recycled. The German company Voodin Blade Technology has developed The first wind turbines made of laminated wood. This material has represented a recyclable alternative to the traditional carbon fiber, fiberglass and epoxy resin. In addition, the most curious thing is that it has greater fire resistance and a rigidity-pepper relationship similar to fiberglass, which allows you to resist all climatic conditions. As of 2026, the German company has been associated with the Indian company Senvion for install some blades of more than 50 meters In 4.2 MW turbines. The tests will be held in Europe at the end of next year and beginning of 2027. The goal. The German startup has found a rather big problem within the wind industry. While in the solar sector there are already recycling centers for photovoltaic panels, such as European photovoltaic recycling center (CERFO) In Teruel. I asked that it was around the company was: What about the wind turbines? The investigation took them to A study by the University of Cambridgewhich revealed that by the year 2050 there will be 43 million tons of shovels worldwide. The reason was none other than conventional materials are very difficult to recycle, so they reached the rolled wooden blades. This solution that is based on reuse to prevent them from ending up or are incinerated. In addition, the use of a natural material such as wood has a lower impact on the product life cycle, since it can be replaced and managed more responsible. Manufacturing. The process to get LAMINADA WOOD It goes on presses and laminating, as the name implies, wooden panels, creating resistant and durable materials. This type of wood is already used in the construction of skyscrapers and other important infrastructure, which demonstrates its reliability. Laminated wood offers a greater flexibility In the design, which allows to create longer blades and higher towers, optimizing the efficiency of the turbines by taking advantage of stronger wind currents. This advance not only provides a more ecological alternative, but also makes the production of blades more economical. In addition, in the manufacturing process eliminates the need for molds, which further reduces production costs, and makes the process more efficient and accessible. In fact, wooden blades can be up to 20% cheaper than traditional ones, according to The German company declared to Recharge. Although something if it had been recycled. While some advances have already been achieved in the recycling of traditional blades, the VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY approach goes one step further. Although it should be noted that the Danish company Vestas has developed A chemical process capable of decomposing epoxy resins and then reuse in new blades, preventing them from ending in a landfill. And fire resistance? It is quite curious because they can even be replaced, but resist fire. In the first place, laminated wood can support high temperatures because being a natural material, it has a Greater self -extinguishing capacitywhich means that it is less prone to burn or spread rapidly in case of fire. In addition, advances in their treatment make it more lasting and stable in front of the fire. On the other hand, traditional materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, although strong and light, do not have high fire resistance. In the end these components, together with the necessary resin to unite them, are more susceptible to decomposition and the release of toxic gases when exposed to high temperatures, which can compromise the structural safety of the turbines in a fire. The future of the big shovels, but … The German startup was news last year when installed 19.3 meters blades In Germany. Now seeks to overcome that milestone with blades of more than 50 meters in lengththe largest manufactured to date with laminated wood. However, in the field of wind energy, China continues to lead the race in large infrastructure. Recently, the Asian giant He has managed to install A Qihang wind turbine, with a 151 -meter tower and a 260 -meter diameter rotor. If mathematics does not fail, we would be talking that the length of a shovel is 130 meters, of course it is not laminated wood. And if I get more searching in the newspaper library, the discussion about the size of the wind turbines would give for an article itself. Just point out that at the moment none has surpassed the wind turbine to take advantage of the strength of the typhons with A 310 meter blade diameter. What we know so far is that laminated wooden blades could mark a before and after in wind energy, reducing costs and environmental impact. If the tests confirm its efficiency, this advance will open the way to more sustainable turbines. Image | VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY Xataka | The tariff storm that affects Spain: Trump’s blow to the wind and steel

China has turned on a wind turbine so large that among its blades the tallest building in Spain fits. And there are 11 meters left

Best known by Your high speed trains Able to reach 450 km/h, the Chinese state company CRRC Corporation He just hit the table in a very different industry: that of marine wind turbines. A new scale for offshore wind. CRRC has launched the larger floating wind turbine in the world. Known as Qihang, it has a tower of 151 meters high and a rotor 260 meters in diameter, 11 more than the crystal tower, the tallest building in Spain. Qihang opens a new scale for marine wind energy in which only China competes against China. With 20 MW capacity, it exceeds 16.6 floating wind turbines and 18 MW that Envision Energy and Dongfang Electric deployed, respectively, in 2024. However, it will soon be surpassed by Mingyang Wind Power’s new 22 MW model. Touring like a high -speed train. With a maximum rotation speed similar to that of CRRC trains, the Qihang wind turbine can produce up to 62 GWh of energy per year, enough to supply electricity to 37,000 homes per turbine. Its design is a work of art of modular architecture. It allows multiple power settings, and adapts to different floating platforms and anchors. With materials capable of supporting extreme conditions, including typhoons, it has more than 200 sensors in blades, structures, transmission systems, floats and moorings for comprehensive monitoring. First unit in tests. The first Qihang He left the CRRC factory In Sheyang (Jiangsu province) on October 10. He arrived in Dongying (Shandong province) in December and was transferred to the test site in the port of Guangli using self -propelled modular barges. On January 11, already completely assembled, it began to operate in what will be a period of exhaustive tests and certifications before its definitive to the high seas and its connection to the electricity grid. The country that surpassed Europe at sea. With unstoppable development, China already exceeded the United Kingdom as the country with the highest installation of marine wind energy in the world, and this type of huge floating turbines only reinforce its global leadership. Only Chinese companies are developing turbines with powers greater than 20 MW for the logistics difficulties they entail In regions like Europe. Floating technology can expand the generation of wind energy to deeper and more distant waters from the coast, accelerating the decarbonization of the electric grid without impacting the landscape of the coast. In Xataka | China installed in August the most powerful “wind turbine” capable of resisting typhons. Two blades have just been broken In Xataka | China has connected the world’s largest terrestrial wind turbine. It is so great that it is altering the local microclimate

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