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Siemens Gamesa celebrates the delivery of green energy from the first world-wide turbine equipped with RecyclableBlades by Siemens Gamesa. RWE’s Kaskasi offshore power project in Germany recently saw the first commercial installation for recyclable wind turbine technology. This is a significant milestone in the long-term sustainability and viability of offshore wind power.
Marc Becker, CEO, Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit, stated, “We are proving we are leaders in the offshore revolution. We are committed to making disruptive tech innovation commercially viable at the speed that the climate emergency requires. The Siemens Gamesa RecyclingBlade technology was brought to market in just 10 months, from its launch in September 2021 through to its installation at RWE’s Kaskasi facility in July 2022. This impressive feat demonstrates the speed at which all of us must move to generate enough power to address the global climate crisis. This milestone is a major contribution to Siemens Gamesa’s goal of producing fully recyclable turbines by 2040. We can make a circular economy virtuous by making RecyclableBlade readily available to our customers.”
Wind turbine blades are constructed from a mixture of materials and resins to create a strong, stiff structure. Siemens Gamesa’s RecyclableBlade technology allows for full reclaim at the end of the product’s life span. A mild acid solution is used to separate the resin, fiberglass, wood and other components. These materials can then be used to create new products such as suitcases and flat-screen casings in the circular economy without the need for additional raw resources.
Sven Utermohlen CEO Wind Offshore, RWE Renewables says that we are testing in Kaskasi, the world’s first renewable wind turbine blades, under operational conditions, is a significant step towards advancing sustainability and viability of wind turbines. The first turbine with Siemens Gamesa RecyclableBlades has started to generate electricity. It is imperative to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy sources. To simultaneously meet climate targets and increase energy sovereignty, offshore expansion must be done faster. RWE is determined to make this happen. The commissioning of the Kaskasi offshore turbine wind farm’s first turbine is a clear indication of that intent.
RWE’s Kaskasi offshore Wind Farm will have a number of turbines equipped with handcrafted Siemens Gamesa B81 RecyclableBlades. Each blade measures 81 meters. The project is situated 35km north of Heligoland, in the German North Sea. It will include 38 SG 8.0-167 DD turbines that generate 342 MW of clean and renewable energy for up to 400,000 German households. This is comparable with a city such as Frankfurt am Main.
The first power generated by a turbine using RecyclableBlades is a testament to the immense value created by Siemens Gamesa in many countries. RecyclableBlade technology was invented in Aalborg in Denmark. The blades were made in Hull in the UK and the nacelles from Cuxhaven in Germany. Becker says that the RecyclableBlade technology will reduce the extraction of raw materials by creating secondary markets for the recycled material. This could lead to job creation.
RecyclableBlade technology can also be used for the 108-meter-long B108 blades on the SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine, and the huge 115-meter-long B115 blades on the SG 14-236 DD turbines.
