Repurposing decommissioned wind turbine blades into pedestrian bridges and e-bike charging stations is the focus of a new collaboration between the ESB and a Cork-based company.
BladeBridge, a start-up specialising in wind turbine blade repurposing, is working with the ESB to identify new ways to use old wind turbine blades.
The companies say that as part of the collaboration, a “mutually beneficial pilot” has been developed that will see the construction of a brand-new e-mobility hub.
They say the project will “support the circular economy and align with ESB’s goal of net zero by 2040 through three key objectives; decarbonising energy, building resilient infrastructure, and empowering customers to live more sustainably”.
ESB Group head of innovation Donal Phelan said the company’s “expertise in understanding the civic environment, safety and electrical standards, and engineering and design capabilities, together with BladeBridge's expertise in blade reverse engineering for repurposing, are what make this project possible”.
BladeBridge chief executive officer Dr Angie Nagle said that wind turbines have a 25-year lifespan, and the blade is the only part of the turbine that is not commercially recyclable – which poses a huge problem for wind farm owners.
“ Once decommissioned, these blades still have a lot of life left in them, as they are crafted from composite materials that withstand massive forces and extreme weather conditions,” she explained.
“Current methods of disposal include sending turbine blades to landfill, which will be banned in Europe by 2025. In collaboration with ESB Group, we will repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades into sustainable infrastructure with the construction of a new e-mobility hub,”she said.