Ramirez-Tejeda Katerin, Turcotte David A, Pike Sarah
1 Center for Wind Energy, University of Massachusetts Lowell, MA, USA.
2 Political Science and International Relations Department, University of San Diego, CA, USA.
New Solut. 2017 Feb;26(4):581-598. doi: 10.1177/1048291116676098. Epub 2016 Oct 29.
Finding ways to manage the waste from the expected high number of wind turbine blades in need of disposal is crucial to harvest wind energy in a truly sustainable manner. Landfilling is the most cost-effective disposal method in the United States, but it imposes significant environmental impacts. Thermal, mechanical, and chemical processes allow for some energy and/or material recovery, but they also carry potential negative externalities. This article explores the main economic and environmental issues with various wind turbine blade disposal methods. We argue for the necessity of policy intervention that encourages industry to develop better technologies to make wind turbine blade disposal sustainable, both environmentally and economically. We present some of the technological initiatives being researched, such as the use of bio-derived resins and thermoplastic composites in the manufacturing process of the blades.
找到处理预计大量需要处置的风力涡轮机叶片所产生废物的方法，对于以真正可持续的方式获取风能至关重要。在美国，填埋是最具成本效益的处置方法，但它会对环境造成重大影响。热、机械和化学处理方法虽能实现一定的能源和/或材料回收，但也存在潜在的负面外部效应。本文探讨了各种风力涡轮机叶片处置方法所面临的主要经济和环境问题。我们主张进行政策干预，鼓励行业开发更好的技术，以使风力涡轮机叶片的处置在环境和经济方面都具有可持续性。我们还介绍了一些正在研究的技术举措，例如在叶片制造过程中使用生物基树脂和热塑性复合材料。
