Thousands of blades are decommissioned at Dutch wind farms as they reach the end of their lifespan. While many parts of the turbines can be recycled, the blades are especially tricky to handle as they are made from a combination of different materials.
To solve the issue, European energy company Vattenfall, recycling company Gjenkraft and ski company EVI are collaborating to transform decommissioned wind turbines into durable skis. Through the collaboration, EVI is using carbon fiber extracted from discarded turbine blades to reinforce their skis, making them stronger and improving performance. The company has a history of using recycled materials in its skis, including repurposing old and broken skis to create new ones.
"Our goal was to show that the problem of recycling turbine blades could be solved. Once we had the technology to recover raw materials, the next step was to find a product that would appeal to the public. As a ski-loving company in Norway, we naturally decided to make skis," Marcin Rusin, co-founder of recycling company Gjenkraft said in a press release.
To put these innovative skis to the test, Vattenfall ordered 15 pairs of various types from EVI reinforced with materials from the recycled turbines. Skiers of all levels were then offered the opportunity to experience the first-hand benefits of sustainable manufacturing, testing them out on the slopes during the World Cup Women's slalom event in Sweden on March 8-9. A ski test area was also set up for visitors to try it out for themselves.
As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources like wind power, it’s becoming increasingly important to find sustainable solutions for their end-of-life management. The collaboration is a great example of how materials can be repurposed, promoting circularity and inspiring innovative ways to manage waste.
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