World Industrial Reporter

Innovation Delivered Daily

  • Innovation
    • Innovation Article Archive
    • Innovative Companies
    • Innovation Strategies
    • New Equipment Innovations
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Markets
    • Market Trends
    • Tradeshow Reports
    • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
World Industrial Reporter » Innovation » GE’s Call to Create Zero Waste Blades

GE’s Call to Create Zero Waste Blades

November 24, 2021

lmwindpower measuring blade nov21

GE’s LM Wind Power has announced that it will produce zero waste blades by 2030, a significant step forward for the industry’s circular wind turbine ambitions.

LM Wind Power already holds the record for becoming the first carbon neutral business in the wind industry in 2018.

According to the GE press release, waste from manufacturing represents one of the biggest challenges faced by many industries as they seek to reduce their carbon footprint.

Take the wind industry for instance: Around 20-25% of the materials purchased by wind turbine blade manufacturers do not go into the final product, and research indicates that blade manufacturing waste volumes are expected to be larger than decommissioned blade volumes during the coming decade.

For wind turbine and blade manufacturers alike, the key to reducing the product carbon footprint lies in the supply chain. In the blade life cycle, around 75% of CO2 emissions occur in the supply chain.

LM Wind Power’s vision of zero waste blades is all about sending no excess manufacturing materials and packaging to landfill and incineration without energy recovery by 2030.

At present, nearly one third of its operational carbon footprint comes from waste disposal.

“We have a track-record of working with our partners to address our most pressing challenges,” notes LM Wind Power CEO Olivier Fontan.

“Our technology has played a crucial role in making wind power one of the most competitive sources of electricity.”

“Now the focus has evolved from making wind power not only competitive, but also making the industry sustainable. It is not one or the other but both.”

“We are determined to work with our partners to reduce the carbon footprint of wind turbines; together we can be the example of how an industry transforms its value chain to support the green transition and the critical move to a circular economy. Zero waste blades are our contribution to this industry mission.”

While blade manufacturing waste prevention and recycling will be a major focus for the company, LM Wind Power is also working with partners to establish sustainable, large-scale solutions to recycle decommissioned blades through the DecomBlades project.

The company is further working on the development of next generation blades that can be more easily recycled through the ZEBRA (Zero Waste Blade Research) project.

Image and content: LM Wind Power/GE Renewable Energy

Share on

Filed Under: Innovation

Rice Boosts Thin Solar Cells Efficiency to 18%
Fast, Accurate Measurement of Surface Groundwater
Avatar

About Aruna Urs

Aruna is an industrial journalist. He writes on innovations that emanate at the intersection of science and engineering having a profound impact on the manufacturing sector.

Follow me
Suppliers

ATRO: Automation Technology for Robotics – the Modular Industrial Robot System

The new ATRO system from Beckhoff is a modular industrial robot system that can be used to assemble the optimal robot structures for different applications on an individual and flexible basis. Standardized motor modules with integrated drive functionality, together with link modules in various designs and lengths, enable almost limitless combinations of mechanics.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

3D Laser Scanners for Inline Quality Inspection

The scanCONTROL 3D laser scanners are characterized by high dynamics, absolute precision and compatibility with all materials. Integrated powerful processors, highly sensitive optical components and the low weight make integration into robotic applications and inline production monitoring simple.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Super High Response Speed Servo Valve

With “Dual Halbach Magnet Array” configuration, which makes the strongest magnetic field more than twice as much as the conventional model. Santest Direct Acting Servo Valve has achieved world-class highest frequency response speed of 800Hz. DA Series also has excellent contamination resistance. Find out more about how this patented servo valve works.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Affordable and Fixed Installed IR Cameras

Our thermal imaging cameras with multiple wavelength options, automatic spot finder function and autonomous operation are ideal for condition monitoring of machines and plants up to 5432 °F.
View Supplier Email this Supplier

Subscribe

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

Free Newsletter Subscription

Find us on the social web.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
FREE NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

Get the latest WIR reports straight to your inbox.

  • Innovation Article Archive
  • Innovation Strategies
  • Innovative Companies
  • New Products
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Market Trends
  • Tradeshow Reports
  • White Papers
  • Logistics
  • Newsletters
  • Fun Stuff
  • Industry Links
Follow us

© 2022 Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved.