First study on public perception of wind turbine circularity

Growing concerns and awareness

Wind energy has become a leading source of sustainable electricity, but the increasing number of wind turbines reaching the end of their lifetimes has raised concerns about their disposal (e.g. burying wind turbine blades in landfills).

The industry has made strides in developing alternative end-of-life solutions, with approximately 85 - 90% of wind turbine components now being recyclable or reusable. However, challenges remain, particularly with composite materials like wind turbine blades and permanent magnets.

Key findings from the study

1. Importance of circularity
   A large majority of Dutch citizens place high importance on circularity and value retention. Specifically, 93% agreed that the depletion of raw materials should be prevented, and 90% believed that more attention should be given to repairing and recycling items.
2. Lack of awareness
   Despite the importance placed on circularity, 77% of respondents were not familiar with what happens to wind turbines at the end of their lives, and 60% underestimated the recyclability of wind turbine components.
3. Support for circular solutions
   After being informed about the current end-of-life outlook, 91% of respondents found it important to find proper solutions for end-of-life wind turbine blades. However, only 8% were satisfied with the current handling of these blades.
4. Financial considerations
   While sustainability is a priority, financial costs also play a role. Two-thirds of respondents supported the use of tax money to invest in circular end-of-life solutions, but only a quarter were willing to pay higher electricity prices for fully circular turbines.
5. Responsibility for circularity
   The public sees manufacturers and owners of wind farms as primarily responsible for finding circular solutions for decommissioned wind turbine blades, followed by the national government and the EU.
6. Preferred repurposing options
   The study also explored preferred repurposing options for wind turbine blades. The majority of respondents favoured using blades for noise barriers along highways and bicycle racks over design furniture. Other creative suggestions included using blades in construction, infrastructure, and as art installations.

Addressing challenges in end-of-life management

The insights gained from this study are expected to be valuable for decision-makers in the wind energy sector, regulators, and the research community. Understanding public perception can help guide the development of more effective and publicly supported end-of-life solutions for wind turbines.

As the wind energy industry continues to grow, addressing the challenges of end-of-life management and enhancing circularity will be crucial for maintaining public support and ensuring sustainable solutions.

About the research

The survey was conducted as part of the EU co-funded EoLO-HUBs project. 1,473 Dutch people participated in the representative survey. If respondents were not aware of developments, they were given an explanation. The survey was conducted by TNO staff with technological expertise of wind turbines in cooperation with social innovation experts.