wind

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

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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

Trump’s blow to the wind and steel

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On his first day as president, Donald Trump signed an executive act in which he canceled wind projects and announced new oil perforations. Now, Spain has been harmed. Short. The United States International Trade Court (CIT) has imposed a 28.55% tariff for exports from Spanish companies Siemens Gamesa and Windar renewable. The court has ruled that these companies were selling wind towers manufactured in Spain at lower prices of the market value, which constitutes a practice of dumping. The decision was made on January 28, but has been published on February 11 in the Federal Registry. This new rate represents an update with respect to the tariff Antidumping Provisional of 73% established in 2021. The sentence. Four years ago, the Cit discovered that some Spanish companies sold wind towers at prices below the right value in the US. Siemens Gamesa challenged the initial decision that imposed a tariff of 73%, claiming that it was illegal. In a new review, the Commerce Department reduced the margin of Dumping to 28.55%. Finally, the judge confirmed this decision, rejecting the allegations that Siemens Gamesa should not be investigated or that there was an illegal fusion with Windar. He also dismissed the claim that the export price was determined incorrectly. The real impact of the tariff. Although the anti -dumping tariff has alerted more than one, it is expected that it has no impact for the sector, since the export strategy to the US was already influenced by the administration’s protectionist policies. In the case of Siemens Gamesa, the imposition of this rate would not affect him, since He stopped exporting Torres manufactured in Spain to the United States two years ago, after a provisional tariff of 73% in 2021 that made competitiveness unfeasible. In this way, Spanish companies of wind towers have been reoriented towards closer and more stable markets, mainly in Europe. The answer from Spain. The affected companies have not issued an official statement, but they have done so from the political sphere. In the Congress of Deputies, President Pedro Sánchez has expressed Its rejection of the imposition of tariffs by Trump in important sectors such as steel, aluminum and wind towers. In addition, Sánchez has declared that, in case others initiate a commercial war, the country will support the European Union in the defense of its economic interests. More tariffs. In addition to wind towers, Donald Trump’s administration has imposed more rates On steel and aluminum imports, a measure that had already been implemented during its first mandate. As stated by the US president himself, This 25% tax Its objective is to protect national producers, but has generated tensions with allies and increased costs for US manufacturers who depend on these metals. Statements from Europe. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has issued a statement in which she rejects the Trump policies related to the imposition of tariffs on European exports of steel and aluminum. The president has stressed that these measures are harmful to both companies and consumers. In addition, he has warned that the European Union will take countermeasures to safeguard the economic interests of the block. Image | Unspash and Daniel Torok Xataka | The future of Temu and Shein in the United States has two problems: tariffs and doctrine “of Minimis”

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

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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

For the first time, solar and wind are eating gas and coal

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Europe has started the year by reaching a milestone: solar energy is the source that grew the fastest in the EU during 2024, surpassing coal for the first time. The meteoric rise. A recent report from Ember has highlighted that, in the last ten years, solar production has tripled, while wind energy has doubled in the same period, but stagnating in the last year. Analysis results have demonstrated That this growth has pushed fossil fuels to their lowest level in 40 years. Decline of coal. In 2019 the Green Dealofficially declaring a “climate emergency.” From that moment on, the European Commission was required to adapt all its proposals to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. At that time, coal was the third largest source of energy along with gas. Currently, it is in sixth place by 10%. In one statement with ReutersReport analyst Chris Rosslowe noted: “Over the last two years we have seen sharp declines in both coal and gas in the EU energy system and fossil fuels are now at a record low.” This marginality that the analyst speaks of lies in the increase in solar and wind generation by the Twenty-Seven, which has helped avoid imports worth 59 billion euros. Furthermore, as stated in its own report, more than half of the member countries do not have coal-based energy or only have a share of less than 5% in their electricity mix. And what about the gas? Although there was a small rebound in electricity demand, gas generation decreased for the fifth consecutive year. In the last five years, total gas consumption in the EU was reduced by 20%, of which a third corresponds to the electricity sector. This change has been driven by the growth of renewable energies, especially solar and wind, which in 2024 prevented gas consumption for electricity generation from being 11% higher. However, it should be noted that gas consumption has been altered by the War in Ukraine. At the beginning of the conflict, Europe’s energy dependence on Russian gas became visible, which led to a response accelerated to diversify energy supply and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical tensions. Stagnation of wind power. The European Union has predicted that in 2030 wind energy will reach 34% of its electrical mix, but as Rosslowe indicated For Reuters, “more actions” are needed to achieve that goal. The analyst’s statements are based on the fact that this last year wind power has only grown by 7 TWh year-on-year, reaching 477 TWh. These data reflect a decrease with respect to the average of 30 TWh of the last five years, but installation rates are expected to increase in the coming years. For more than four years, the costs of wind energy have been have stagnated due to high inflation and supply chain problems derived from the Covid-19 pandemic and the global energy crisis. In addition, the wind sector has been harmed more than the solar sector due to longer delivery times and higher initial investment requirements. However, the report maintains that wind energy will continue to be competitive compared to gas generation, thanks to future measures taken by the EU. The division in the nuclear. Given the rise of data centers, nuclear energy has become the fetish source of large technology companieswho consider it ideal for its uninterrupted use. Specifically, in Europe, nuclear energy continues to recover from 2022 and is generating 24% of electricity. Here arises one of the major divisions of the EUsince there are member countries that are in favor of continuing to invest in this energy, such as Finland, Slovakia, Hungary and France, the latter opening a new nuclear power plant after 25 years. On the other hand, other countries such as Germany, Belgium and Spain are in the process of gradually reducing or eliminating this energy source. In this last group was Italy, which recently has finalized a bill to return to nuclear energy. This situation glimpses one of the challenges that Europe will have to face in the coming years. The problem with the price. Although the report has presented the European Union’s good construction towards the energy transition, they still have to face the increase in electricity prices. Europe has two challenges ahead: the phenomenon known as “dunkelflaute” and an aging power grid. The first refers to periods of low renewable production due to lack of wind and sun. For its part, the limitations in the networks occur due to their longevity. These problems are combined with a growing demand for energy, which further complicates the situation. Spain and Portugal at the head of Europe. Within the Twenty-seven member states, Spain and Portugal have led the energy transition with 82% of electricity generation coming from renewable sources. Of this percentage, the combination of solar and wind energy reached almost 50%. In particular, Spain recorded a continuous increase in photovoltaic generation, reaching 21% of its electricity almost double the European average (11%). Furthermore, the Iberian country is the second country in Europe with the most solar energy generation, only behind Germany. Forecasts. In a statement collected by Carbon BriefChris Rosslowe said that while the EU’s energy transition has moved faster over the past five years, “we should take nothing for granted.” Furthermore, he adds that the goals achieved should generate “confidence” because they demonstrate the “effort and commitment” for a more sustainable energy future for Europe. Image | Unsplash and Unsplash Xataka | We have known for 25 years that we were going to exceed 1.5 degrees of temperature increase and we have not cared

Firefighters struggle to control large fire north of Los Angeles

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CASTAIC, California, USA — Firefighters were trying to stay ahead of a huge, fast-moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and left more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. The Hughes Fire began late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had burned nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreational area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that have been burning for three weeks. Although the region was under a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as strong as when those fires started, allowing firefighting aircraft to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the new fire. By Wednesday night, approximately 14% of the Hughes Fire had been contained. “The situation we are in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday night. (John Locher/Associated Press) (Café de Leche / Matthew Schodorf) Red flag warnings were extended until 10 a.m. Friday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue to monitor hot spots. More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from the Hughes Fire, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. No houses or other structures burned were reported. Parts of Interstate 5 near the Hughes Fire that had been closed reopened Wednesday night. County police officers return to their vehicle after observing flames caused by the Hughes Fire along a road in Castaic, Calif.ornia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP) A 48-kilometer (30-mile) stretch of the main north-south artery had been reserved for emergency vehicles, to move equipment and to prevent accidents due to smoke crossing the highway. Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft attempted to prevent the wind-driven fire from crossing the interstate and heading toward Castaic. Marrone said since the winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aerial crews were able to drop fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving. More than 4,000 firefighters were assigned to the fire, he said. Winds in the area were blowing at 67 kilometers per hour (42 miles per hour) in the afternoon. They had reached 65 mph (105 km/h) in some mountain spots by Wednesday night, according to David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Kayla Amara drove to the Stonegate neighborhood in Castaic to pick up items from the house of a friend who had run out to pick up her daughter from preschool. While Amara was packing up the car, she learned that the fire had dramatically increased in size and decided to spray the property with a hose. “Other people are also spraying their houses with hoses. I hope there is a house to return to,” Amara said as police cars raced through the streets and flames engulfed trees on a hill in the distance. Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she has been on edge for weeks as massive fires devastated Southern California. “It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home it’s just super stressful,” he said. To the south, Los Angeles officials began preparing for possible rain as some residents were allowed to return to the charred areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The windy weather was expected to last through Thursday and rain could begin as early as Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. “Rain is forecast and the threat of mud and debris flows in our fire-affected communities is real,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a news conference Wednesday morning. Firefighters spray water on the Hughes Fire in Castaic, California, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP) Fire crews filled sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleaned drainage pipes and basins. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city’s website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event. Health Director Los Angeles County Public Prosecutor Barbara Ferrer warned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials. “Even brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems,” Ferrer said Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning. Low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and high winds came as firefighters continued to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they began Jan. 7. The fence on the Palisades fire reached 70%, and the Eaton fire was at 95%. Luna said Wednesday that his department was still investigating 22 missing person reports from both fire zones. All of the people reported missing are adults, he said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings. Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging that Southern California Edison equipment caused the fire. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.

the delay in the development of the new wind tunnel generates a domino effect

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Aston Martin faces a major challenge heading into the season 2026 of Formula 1year marked by the implementation of new technical regulations that promise to level the grid. The Silverstone team, which has experienced notable growth in recent years, is currently in a technological and structural transition periodwith his eyes fixed on his new wind tunnel of the latest generation, a key piece for your ambitions. However, a delay in wind tunnel calibration process has slowed down the development of the 2026 cargenerating a domino effect that affects both the team and its medium-term planning. Although from January 1, 2025 Aston Martin and all the teams on the Formula 1 grid were authorized to begin work on the design of the new cars, the Silverstone team has decided to wait until its new facility is fully operational to begin that phase of work. . The new wind tunnel, located in the Silverstone Technology Campusis part of the modern facilities that Aston Martin has built to compete at the highest level. Designed to be an essential tool in improving aerodynamic performance, its launch has been delayed due to the complexities of its calibration. This process, led by the engineering director Luca Furbattowas to be completed by the end of 2024, but the work has been extended beyond what was planned. Despite these delays, Aston Martin has chosen not to use the wind tunnel that he has rented for years to mercedes in Brackleywhere his previous cars were developed, including the AMR25 of 2025. The decision to work exclusively at Silverstone responds to a clear strategy: maintaining confidentiality, guaranteeing that the technical solutions for the new car are developed in-house, away from possible leaks, and trusting that their new work tool will provide more and better information for this process. Fernando Alonso reviews the changes in the ARM24 with an engineer Aston Martin Qualitative leap He new Aston Martin wind tunnel it’s not just one significant investment in infrastructurebut also a fundamental pillar for your future. Equipped with the most advanced simulation systems, it promises to offer more precise data that can be correlated with real track conditions. However, as the team recognizes, it will take time to fine-tune the simulations and take advantage of the full potential of this tool. Furthermore, the arrival of Adrian Neweyone of the most brilliant minds in the history of Formula 1reinforces Aston Martin’s expectations. Newey, who will join the team on March 5dedicate much of its time to the development of the 2026 car. Its incorporation, together with other notable technicians such as Andy Cowell and Eric Blandinreinforces the team’s long-term vision. The delay in using the new wind tunnel is not the only challenge facing Aston Martin. The team is also in full transition to official team statusa process that involves designing and manufacturing key components, such as the gearbox, that were previously sourced from Mercedes. Furthermore, the association with the historic manufacturer Sling for the supply of power units exclusively for them from 2026 adds an additional layer of complexity to this restructuring stage. Andy CowellCEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies, has emphasized the importance of managing all these processes efficiently to avoid compromising performance on the track. “2026 is an opportunitybut not the final goal. We want to build a team that achieves sustained success,” he said in recent statements. The 2025 season will be crucial to consolidate the team’s structure before facing the challenges of 2026. Although the AMR25 will be developed with current resources, the strategic focus is already on the next big technical leap. Cowell insists that the key will be finding a balance between immediate priorities and long-term goals. With a robust technical base, a high-level human team and a constantly evolving infrastructure, Aston Martin seems to be on the right track to compete at the top of the grid. However, time is of the essence and rivals such as Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari will not give up in the fight to maintain their dominance.

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