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

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