Windmill blades have an average life span of 25 years. Due to the lack of more suitable technical and economic alternatives, most of these blades are disposed in landfills.
The SuperUse studios have been testing ways to extend the life of windmill blades for several years with several projects implemented in Europe. Considering the global wind energy industry growth and forecasts estimating a three-fold increase by 2030, the quest to find better solutions to treat used blades remains critical.
Forma-i joined the SuperUse studios to investigate the challenges and opportunities to extend the life of windmill blades in the United States (second world largest installed capacity in wind energy).
Collaborators: SuperUse studios. Images: Benjamin Rasmussen for Bloomberg Green; SuperUse studios and Denis Guzzo.