Wind energy sustainability in Europe—A review of knowledge gaps, opportunities and circular strategies

Ana Ramos; Filipa Magalhães; Diogo Neves; Nelson Gonçalves; António Baptista; Teresa Mata; Nuno Correia; Ana Ramos; Filipa Magalhães; Diogo Neves; Nelson Gonçalves; António Baptista; Teresa Mata; Nuno Correia

doi:10.3934/GF.2023022

Green Finance

2023, Volume 5, Issue 4: 562-602. doi: 10.3934/GF.2023022

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Research article

Wind energy sustainability in Europe—A review of knowledge gaps, opportunities and circular strategies

Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, INEGI, R. Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

Received: 28 June 2023 Revised: 25 October 2023 Accepted: 06 November 2023 Published: 22 November 2023
JEL Codes: Q01, Q42

Wind energy has become a very interesting option regarding the replacement of fossil-based energy sources by renewable options. Despite its eco-friendly character, some challenges remain across the whole lifecycle of wind turbines. These are mainly related to the use of more sustainable materials and processes in the construction phase, to lifetime extension for the structures currently installed and to waste management at the end-of-life phase, the disassembly or decommissioning phase. Following worldwide concerns about sustainability, the circular economy and decarbonization, several projects have been addressing the themes identified, proposing alternatives that are more suitable and contribute to the body of knowledge in the sector towards enhanced environmental and technical performance.

This work presents the state of the art of the European wind energy sector, reflecting on the main drivers, barriers and challenges for circularity, while identifying knowledge gaps and strategic opportunities to develop new potential approaches. A compilation of key projects and main wind energy sites in Europe is shown, as well as a collection of lifecycle extension strategies and reported environmental impacts. Approaches to sustainability are highlighted, such as recyclability, eco-design and eco-efficiency of the turbine blades. Furthermore, the associated potential environmental, economic and societal impacts are put forward to support the implementation of more circular solutions, which can also contribute to reducing EU energy dependency and more integration of renewable sources. The key goal is to give an overview of the main challenges in the sector, namely, in what relates to potential circular solutions and strategies towards a higher level of sustainability.
- wind energy,
- renewable energy,
- circular economy,
- composite materials,
- life cycle extension,
- environmental impacts,
- sustainability
Citation: Ana Ramos, Filipa Magalhães, Diogo Neves, Nelson Gonçalves, António Baptista, Teresa Mata, Nuno Correia. Wind energy sustainability in Europe—A review of knowledge gaps, opportunities and circular strategies[J]. Green Finance, 2023, 5(4): 562-602. doi: 10.3934/GF.2023022

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Abstract

Wind energy has become a very interesting option regarding the replacement of fossil-based energy sources by renewable options. Despite its eco-friendly character, some challenges remain across the whole lifecycle of wind turbines. These are mainly related to the use of more sustainable materials and processes in the construction phase, to lifetime extension for the structures currently installed and to waste management at the end-of-life phase, the disassembly or decommissioning phase. Following worldwide concerns about sustainability, the circular economy and decarbonization, several projects have been addressing the themes identified, proposing alternatives that are more suitable and contribute to the body of knowledge in the sector towards enhanced environmental and technical performance.

This work presents the state of the art of the European wind energy sector, reflecting on the main drivers, barriers and challenges for circularity, while identifying knowledge gaps and strategic opportunities to develop new potential approaches. A compilation of key projects and main wind energy sites in Europe is shown, as well as a collection of lifecycle extension strategies and reported environmental impacts. Approaches to sustainability are highlighted, such as recyclability, eco-design and eco-efficiency of the turbine blades. Furthermore, the associated potential environmental, economic and societal impacts are put forward to support the implementation of more circular solutions, which can also contribute to reducing EU energy dependency and more integration of renewable sources. The key goal is to give an overview of the main challenges in the sector, namely, in what relates to potential circular solutions and strategies towards a higher level of sustainability.

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