The ESB Group has announced a plan to turn decommissioned wind turbine blades into a new e-mobility hub.
It is part of a collaboration with BladeBridge, a Cork-based start-up specialising in wind turbine blade repurposing.
Wind turbines have a 25-year lifespan, and the blade is the only part of the turbine that is not commercially recyclable.
The e-mobility hub will be a physical structure, approximately the size of a car parking space.
One of the designs would see part of a decommissioned wind turbine blade housing electric bike charging infrastructure where e-bikes can be plugged in to charge.
A canopy overhead, also made from a decommissioned blade, would provide shelter for the e-bikes.
“We are delighted to be working with BladeBridge to repurpose wind turbine blades through the development of an exciting e-mobility hub that will showcase that this type of infrastructure can still serve a purpose after decommissioning while preventing further landfill waste,” said Donal Phelan, Head of Innovation at ESB Group.
BladeBridge repurposes decommissioned wind turbine blades into sustainable infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges and e-bike charging stations.
Some of the company’s creations can be seen on the Midleton to Youghal greenway in Co Cork, and the Achill greenway in Co Mayo.
“Once decommissioned, these blades still have a lot of life left in them, as they are crafted from composite materials that withstand massive forces and extreme weather conditions,” said Dr Angie Nagle, CEO of BladeBridge.
“Current methods of disposal include sending turbine blades to landfill, which will be banned in Europe by 2025,” she said.
“In collaboration with ESB Group we will repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades into sustainable infrastructure with the construction of a new e-mobility Hub,” Dr Nagle added.
