The German startup claims to have installed the world‘s first wooden wind turbine blades. The first prototype was built in Breuna, a town in central Germany. Wooden wind turbines should make wind energy even greener than before, reveals co-founder Jorge Castillo.
Recyclability of turbine blades
The solution that Voodin Blade Technology is working on has potential, as the wind sector is expected to produce up to 50 million tons of blade waste by 2050, as reported by rechargenews. If the turbine blades can be recycled, there are great benefits for the environment. A wind turbine’s blades are typically made of glass and carbon fibers bonded with epoxy resin – materials that are not easily degradable, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. However, the turbine blades (LVL blades) from the energy and electricity startup from Hesse should be 100 percent recyclable because they are made from wood. “The use of wood in the most critical, demanding and stressed component of wind turbines demonstrates the power of renewable materials,” says Voodin Blade Technology. The aim is to inspire other industries to question the status quo and introduce sustainable alternatives.
Compatible with all wind farms
For the prototype that has just been installed, an existing system was equipped with a 19.3 meter long wing. The leaves are made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), which is based on laminate and is considered particularly robust and sustainable. The material is considered more sustainable than fiberglass and other synthetic composites used to make wind turbine blades. Not only can it supposedly be completely dismantled, but it is said to have two further advantages: “With the LVL blades, wind turbines produce 78 percent fewer CO2 emissions and production costs can be reduced by up to 20% compared to current solutions “will be,” it says in the broadcast. Voodin states that their product is compatible with all wind farms worldwide.
“Hundreds of lab tests to perfect material”
The CleanTech startup produces the LVL slats using automated CNC milling machines. Codes are used to create complex 3D shapes that ultimately give the wooden sash its shape. According to co-founder Jorge Castillo, Voodin technology can be used to produce any type of wood. A special feature is certainly that the LVL sheets are produced locally, which reduces transport costs and emissions. “We have conducted hundreds of laboratory tests over the last two years to perfect the material. “After all our testing, our wings are even more durable than existing fiberglass wings because they exhibit less fatigue and are proven to withstand all types of weather conditions on land very well,” said Castillo. Next, Voodin Blade Technology would like to use even longer wood for wind turbines. A turbine prototype with 60 and 80 meter long wind turbine blades is planned.
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