The U.S. Wind Turbine Database contains more than74,695 wind turbines built since 1980, spread between 1,699 wind power projects in 45 states. However, thousands of wind turbines are reaching the end of their operational lifespan and need to be either repowered to make way for updated (often larger) turbines or entirely decommissioned to allow for new uses of the land they occupy. Unfortunately, there is no uniform legal framework to regulate the steps involved, nor is there an accepted industry-wide set of best practices, and the environmental costs are considerable.America’s Decaying Wind Turbine Infrastructure
Many first- and second-generation turbines with capacities between 0.5 and 1 MW are being retired and decommissioned as newer models—some with capacities of up to 3.5 MW—take their place. Complete decommissioning can include felling or dismantling the turbines, partially or wholly removing the turbine foundations and underground cables, removing the ground-level facilities, and restoring the land to a usable state.
Several wind turbines in the United States are reaching the end of their operational life, bringing … [+] the issues surrounding decommissioning to the forefront.Next Era Energy ResourcesOne issue with decommissioning turbines is how to dispose of turbine components. Above ground, the towers, hubs, and some internal parts of wind turbines are made of easily recyclable metals, accounting for 86%-94% of the weight of each unit. In contrast, blades and other components, which account for 6%-14% of the weight, are made of composite materials that are more difficult to recycle. Foundations and underground cables made of concrete, plastic, and metal can usually be recycled but are often left underground when a project is discontinued.
The rare earth elements used in permanent magnets in wind turbine generators are difficult to retrieve for reuse. Last but not least, wind turbines’ large blades are constructed from fiberglass, carbon fiber, or epoxy resin, rendering conventional recycling procedures ineffective. New recycling methods are limited in availability and costly, which ironically means that landfilling is currently the most cost-effective disposal option.
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Wind Turbine Waste
Landfilling presents an escalating environmental threat. Blades are frequently buried in fragments in several landfills throughout the Great Plains, transforming sites in Wyoming, Iowa, and South Dakota into wind turbine graveyards. By 2050, the cumulative decommissioning material from wind turbines could reach 133 million tons. On average, 3,000 –9,000 blades are being taken out of service per year in the United States, and that number is expected to increase to 10,000–20,000 blades per year by 2040. While landfills may not emit hazardous compounds, non-biodegradable debris is occupying more and more space.
Alternative waste management methods are available but have not attained market dominance. Mec