A PIONEERING partnership will make wind turbines more sustainable than ever.
Fred Olsen Renewables and ReBlade are combining resources to investigate how to repurpose disused wind turbine blades from Windy Standard Windfarm, near Carsphairn.
It was one of the first to be constructed in Scotland and has operated for over 25 years. It will now be one of the first to be re-powered, this could mean the removal of 36 turbines and replaced by up to eight others.
The giant blades are notoriously difficult to recycle and repurpose especially as they are designed to cope with extreme weather.
The old blades, made of fibreglass-reinforced composites, will then be given a second lease of life in the local area by ReBlade, which was formed to solve turbine waste.
Managing director Steven Lindsay said: “As the first generation of wind farms start to come down, we are developing practical, workable solutions that will give these blades a purposeful second life – and in doing so create local jobs and benefits to the local communities.
“We are already training local technicians on our blade handling techniques fo the 108 turbine blades that are set to come down.”
Mr Lindsay, who lives locally, also explained how he and his company are presently looking at ways to create items throughout the region in play parks, bus shelters and bike racks.
Miles McConville, project manager at Fred Olsen Renewables, added: “Windy Standard Wind Farm was one of the first wind farms built in Scotland. It will also be one of the first to be re-powered.
“Working with ReBlade allows us to explore opportunities to repurpose turbine blades from the site and give them a second lease of life in the local area. We are engaging with the local community to see what they would like to see delivered.”
