Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics completed the paving of a road using modified asphalt mixtures made from retired wind turbine blades as a demonstration project
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As one of the clean energy sources, wind power can replace thermal power, thereby helping to alleviate issues such as the shortage of fossil fuels and environmental pollution facing society today. With the introduction of the \"dual carbon\" goals, clean energy sources such as wind power have seen rapid development; China’s wind power industry has held the world’s first place in terms of installed capacity connected to the grid for 12 consecutive years. Gansu Province is one of the regions in China with abundant wind energy resources. It has Guazhou County, known as the \"world’s wind reservoir,\" and Yumen City, referred to as a \"windy area.\" The theoretical reserve of wind energy in this province amounts to 237 GW, ranking it fifth in the country in terms of total wind energy reserves. Jiuquan City has already developed wind power bases with a capacity of tens of millions of kilowatts. The service life of fans is generally 15 to 20 years. As the installed capacity in China continues to reach new heights, an influx of older fans being retired is also occurring. According to statistics, the amount of wind turbine blades retired in China in 2018 was approximately 3,456 tons. It is estimated that this figure will reach 50,000 tons by 2025, and 410,000 tons by 2028. Achieving green and resource-efficient utilization throughout the entire life cycle of wind turbine blades has always been a goal pursued by the wind energy industry. The main component of wind turbine blades is fiberglass composite material. Recycling used wind turbine blades is difficult and costly, and as of now, there are no mature and reliable recycling techniques available internationally. In recent years, the team led by Tang Zhicheng, a researcher at the **Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates** at the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has carried out extensive research on the technical challenges associated with the disposal of retired wind turbine blades. Starting from the material structure and physicochemical properties of retired wind turbine blades, researchers took advantage of their characteristics such as light weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. By using physical crushing and chemical treatment methods to process these blades, they incorporated them into road asphalt mixtures, thereby reducing the production costs of such mixtures while enhancing their strength and stability. This approach ultimately leads to the development of a resource-efficient, high-value, and environmentally friendly recycling technology for retired wind turbine blades. Through several years of technical efforts by the project team, breakthroughs have been achieved in the technology related to modified asphalt mixtures using used wind turbine blades, and all relevant parameters meet the requirements of the DB62/T 3136-2017 standards for construction techniques of highway asphalt pavements. Based on this technology, the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics and Gansu Road and Bridge Construction Group have recently collaborated to lay a test section of pavement using modified asphalt mixtures made from retired wind turbine blades on Qingfu Road (G312) in Lanzhou City. Tests have shown that the performance of roads paved with modified asphalt mixtures containing used wind turbine blades is no different from that of conventional asphalt roads, indicating that it is entirely feasible to use such blades in modified asphalt mixtures. The implementation of this project not only enables the efficient, high-value, and environmentally sustainable recycling of retired wind turbine blades, but also provides high-strength asphalt mixtures for road construction in China, thereby reducing the costs associated with road construction. This work has received strong support from projects such as the Gansu Province Major Science and Technology Project (Innovation Consortium).
With the rapid development of renewable energy, wind power has become an important component of global clean energy. However, with the maturity of the wind power industry, the issue of handling a large number of retired wind turbine blades has become increasingly prominent. Traditional landfilling not only occupies a large amount of land resources but may also cause environmental pollution. To address this challenge, the industry is actively exploring innovative recycling solutions to drive the wind power sector in a more green and sustainable direction. Firstly, material reuse technologies are continuously making progress. Researchers have developed a method for crushing wind turbine blades and using them as building materials, which can be employed in manufacturing concrete, road construction, or landscape design. This not only reduces the use of raw materials but also provides a more environmentally friendly option for the construction industry. Secondly, significant progress has also been made in chemical recycling technologies. Through advanced chemical treatment processes, the resin and fibers in composite materials can be separated, enabling high-value recycling. These recycled materials can be used again to manufacture new composite products, creating a closed-loop resource utilization model. Furthermore, innovative design concepts are changing the lifecycle of wind turbine blades. Some manufacturers are adopting modular design to make the blades easier to disassemble and recycle. At the same time, research on the application of biodegradable materials is also underway, with the aim of addressing the recycling challenges at their source. It is worth mentioning that some companies are exploring the possibility of transforming retired blades into artistic installations or public facilities. This innovation not only gives new life to discarded leaves but also raises public awareness and support for renewable energy. To bring these innovative solutions to fruition, governments, businesses, and research institutions need to strengthen their cooperation. Establishing a sound recycling system, formulating relevant policy support, and increasing investment in research and development are all essential steps. At the same time, it is also crucial to raise public awareness of the importance of wind turbine blade recycling. With the continuous development of these innovative technologies and solutions, retired wind turbine blades are expected to transform from an environmental burden into valuable resources. This not only helps to reduce waste but also creates new economic opportunities for related industries, pushing the entire wind power sector in a more sustainable direction. Through continuous innovation and effort, we are paving the way for a truly green energy future. The Professional Committee for the Recycling of Wind and Solar Equipment adheres to the relevant strategic guidelines, actively studies the policies related to this field, works together with enterprises across the entire industry chain to establish a comprehensive system for the recycling of wind and solar equipment, thereby strengthening the foundation of the recycling industry and promoting the green and sustainable development of this sector. Facing new opportunities, the special committee is actively establishing platforms for international cooperation to strengthen exchanges and collaboration in the field of renewable energy worldwide, thereby supporting companies in expanding their operations abroad and achieving a \"green win-win\" outcome. In the future, it will continue to work together with industry peers from various countries to advance the development of systems for the recycling of wind and solar power equipment, promote global energy transition as well as the growth of the industry related to the recycling of renewable energy generation equipment, and contribute to sustainable human development.
Effective utilization of waste enables the sustainable development of new energy technologies. Like