The growth of wind power capacity is accelerating globally, with 2020 a record year for new installations. But with the expansion comes a growing mass of production waste, emissions from manufacturing and transport, and discarded components from retired machines. The industry’s turbine makers are facing up to the problem but proposed solutions remain commercially immature
Customer pressure is placing a spotlight on wind turbine production processes and supply chains
COMPETITION RULES Turbine OEMs are being prompted to clean up their production as customers place greater focus on their supply chains
PRICE INCREASE In the short-term, wind turbine prices are set to increase as new materials and processes are developed and incorporated
KEY QUOTE When they increase focus on circular production, then it is because it is supporting their competitiveness in the long term ...
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Offshore wind in the US is in its early infancy. A century old law is making life unnecessarily difficult and is hindering market growth.
The mining and cement industries contribute over 10% of the world’s CO₂ emissions but demand in both industries remains high. It is, therefore, imperative that decarbonisation efforts should be accelerated, argues Thomas Schulz, CEO of engineering firm FLSmidth
Standards and regulation creating a “closed loop supply chain” could help the wind industry better manage questions around recycling and reuse
Denmark’s offshore wind tender model is being looked to as a shining example of how to drive down cost through proactive government action. Others may adopt the market model, too.
The global building and construction sector can reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 if it makes changes along the whole of the production and supply chain, says Cristina Gamboa, CEO at the World Green Building Council, the global network leading the transformation of the built environment towards sustainability across almost 70 countries
Waste pollution in product lifecycles is set to ease: beer bottles made from wood‚ toilet rolls from sour milk; biodegradable plastic packing; and LEGO bricks in a new material
With careful planning and utilising materials within a circular economy, the wind industry can reduce its waste during the production process, says Olivier Fontan, the new CEO at blade manufacturer LM Wind Power