Dezeen’s top 10 designs from 2022 that rethought how we use energy
CategoriesSustainable News

Dezeen’s top 10 designs from 2022 that rethought how we use energy

As the global energy crisis shone a light on fossil-fuel dependence this year, we continue our review of 2022 by looking at 10 of the most innovative projects demonstrating more renewable, efficient and affordable ways to power our lives.

After Russia’s war in Ukraine sent energy costs spiralling to record heights, designers and architects argued that now is the time to double down on the renewable energy transition.

“This is a pivotal moment in which we need to shift our societies onto a safer path,” architect Michael Pawlyn told Dezeen earlier this year.

From a sand battery to a portable wind turbine and a low-cost solar-heated blanket, here are 10 projects covered on Dezeen in 2022 that demonstrate how it can be done:


Solar Metal Smelter by Jelle Seegers
Photo by Iris Rijskamp

Solar Metal Smelter by Jelle Seegers

An oversized magnifying glass focuses the sun’s heat to melt metal in this smelting machine, developed by design graduate Jelle Seegers to reduce the emissions and soaring energy costs associated with powering industrial furnaces.

“By making this thing manual, it really changes the casting craft from one where you just have endless energy coming into your workshop to one where you personally cooperate with the sun in order to melt the metal,” he told Dezeen.

Find out more about Solar Metal Smelter ›


University of Massachusetts Amherst
Photo courtesy of University of Massachusetts Amherst

Sweat-powered biofilm by the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a biofilm that is worn like a plaster and can generate electricity to power users’ wearable electronics using their sweat.

The film is made by bacteria that can convert energy from the sweat’s evaporation into electricity, meaning that compared to traditional batteries it does not need to be changed or charged while cutting down the need for mined metals.

In the future, researchers believe the technology could be used to power devices at a larger scale as around 50 per cent of all solar energy that reaches Earth is spent on evaporation, making it a “huge, untapped source of energy”.

Find out more about the biofilm ›


Solar Blanket by Mireille Steinhage
Photo courtesy of Mireille Steinhage

Solar Blanket by Mireille Steinhage

Conductive yarn runs through this heated blanket, which can be charged using a mini solar panel to provide an accessible and affordable way to stay warm over the winter in the face of the energy crisis.

Designer Mireille Steinhage estimates the Solar Blanket could retail for less than £10 and, unlike a gas-powered boiler, would not cost anything to run.

“The emphasis on personal responsibility when it comes to sustainability is big,” said Steinhage. “However, it’s not so simple for the reported 14.5 million people living in relative poverty in the UK.”

“These people might not be able to make sustainability a personal priority, even if they wanted to,” she continued. “If we want to realise a more sustainable future, being sustainable should be accessible to everyone.”

Find out more about Solar Blanket ›


Polar Night Energy sand battery
Photo courtesy of Polar Night Energy

Sand battery, Finland, by Polar Night Energy

This year saw Finnish company Polar Night Energy install the world’s first operational “sand battery” at a power plant in the town of Kankaanpää, which promises to overcome one of the key obstacles to the renewable energy transition.

It works by transforming green energy into hot air using a resistive heating element and then feeding it into the sand, heating it to around 500 to 600 degrees Celsius.

The sand is able to retain that heat for weeks or even months, offering a long-term, low-cost solution for storing excess renewable energy for those times when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing – particularly for winter when demand is at its peak in many places.

Find out more about the sand battery ›


Front image of the prototype
Photo by Adrià Goula

Solar Greenhouse by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

This prototype Solar Greenhouse co-locates renewable energy generation and food production on the same plot of land, in a bid to demonstrate how the world could feed its growing population while racing to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The two-storey structure is made from locally sourced timber, wrapped in glass louvres for light and ventilation, and designed to be scalable and adaptable to a variety of settings including inner-city rooftops.

Find out more about Solar Greenhouse ›


Shine Turbine by Aurea Technologies
Photo courtesy of Aurea Technologies

Shine Turbine by Aurea Technologies

This portable wind turbine folds down to the size of a water bottle so it can fit in a backpack for camping trips or emergency situations.

It can generate up to three phone charges worth of power in an hour, with a power-to-weight ratio of 29.5 watts per kilogram that makes it more efficient than any comparable solar panels, thermoelectric stoves or water turbines, according to Aurea Technologies.

Find out more about Shine Turbine ›


Solar Protocol by Tega Brain, Alex Nathanson and Benedetta Piantella
Image courtesy of Tega Brain, Alex Nathanson and Benedetta Piantella

Solar Protocol by Tega Brain, Alex Nathanson and Benedetta Piantella

Websites on the Solar Protocol network are serviced by solar-powered servers placed in different time zones around the world to make use of the most naturally available energy at any given time.

The project hopes to provoke discussions about whether the internet can function within planetary limits.

“In the field of computer science, there’s always been this idea of computing being unlimited and infinite,” co-creator Tega Brain told Dezeen. “There’s not a culture of considering the material impacts and the fact that these systems are reliant on giant energy-sucking, water-sucking data centres that are all around the world.”

Find out more about Solar Protocol ›


Systems Reef 2 by BVN and UTS
Photo courtesy of BVN

Systems Reef 2 by BVN and the University of Technology Sydney

Australian architecture practice BVN collaborated with the University of Technology Sydney to create a 3D-printed air-conditioning (AC) system dotted with tiny pores that effectively mist cool air into the space below, mimicking frog skin.

Combined with swapping the traditional angular sheet metal construction of ACs for a more aerodynamic network of branching tubes, this means the system uses less energy in operation and reduces embodied carbon by 90 per cent.

Find out more about Systems Reef 2 ›


Lightyear 0 on a desert road
Photo courtesy of Lightyear

Lightyear 0 by Lightyear

This year saw Dutch startup Lightyear launch the “world’s first production-ready” solar car,  which has photovoltaic panels integrated into its roof, bonnet and boot that automatically top up its battery.

The hope is that this will help electric cars rival their fossil-fuel counterparts by making them less reliant on charging points and potentially free to run.

“I think most electric vehicles will have a solar roof in the future,” Lightyear’s lead solar engineer told Dezeen in an exclusive interview. “It’s a topic that all big car manufacturers are working on.”

Find out more about Lightyear 0 ›


Cosmic ADU
Photo by Martos Martinovic

Cosmic Studio by Cosmic

In a bid to make zero-emissions, off-grid living more accessible, US startup Cosmic developed a modular accessory dwelling unit that can be slotted onto any property and generates all of its own energy with no need for fossil fuels.

The tiny home is constructed using an efficient “hybrid prefab” construction system and powered via an integrated rooftop solar array plus an air-source heat pump that takes care of heating and cooling.

Find out more about Cosmic Studio ›

Reference

A nano-membrane desalinator does not need an energy supply
CategoriesSustainable News

A nano-membrane desalinator does not need an energy supply

Spotted: According to the World Health Organization, 829,000 people are estimated to die each year from diarrhoea caused by unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene. At the same time, global warming is making it harder to ensure adequate supplies of fresh water in many places. Desalination is one solution to this problem and startup Nanoseen is working to make this process cheaper and more efficient with its nanotechnology filters.

The filtration technology, called NanoseenX, uses specially created nanomembranes with pores ranging in size 0.1 to 0.8 nanometres, which trap different impurities and salts. Depending on the salinity of the water and level of contamination, between 2 and 20 nanomembranes are used, which are arranged in cascades or as a ‘sandwich’ inside a cylinder-shaped device. Gravity is used to carry out the filtration, removing the need for extra energy or pressure.

In addition to removing salt, Nanoseen claims that the system can purify any polluted water, turning it into drinking water in two to five minutes. In addition, the nanomembranes can be used in existing equipment in water treatment plants. The membranes are completely scalable and, at a cost of around $0.08 to $0.50 for each nanomembrane, they are one of the cheapest solutions available. Nanoseen is now looking for further investors to enable them to bring NanoseenX to market.

Given the seriousness of the issues surrounding freshwater contamination and shortages, it is no wonder that more and more work is going into tackling this problem. Springwise has spotted the use of microalgae to clean industrial waste and a chemical-free industrial water treatment system.

Written By Lisa Magloff

Reference

Harvesting energy from fluctuations in humidity
CategoriesSustainable News

Harvesting energy from fluctuations in humidity

Spotted: Think back to the last time you got out of a swimming pool on a hot day – remember the cooling feeling of the water evaporating off your skin? That coolness came from the transfer of energy from water to air as it evaporates (the same thing happens when we sweat). Now, what if this same principle could be used to cool and heat your house? That is the question that is being answered by Israeli startup ThermoTerra. 

ThermoTerra is developing a renewable energy system that heats and cools using humidity. The system embeds a hydroscopic material such as hempcrete, silica gel, or wood wool inside building walls. When the surrounding air is drier or wetter than the hydroscopic material, the potential energy difference between moisture in the air and the material would transport heat from the material to the air and vice versa.

So, on a hot, dry day, water in the material evaporates, creating a cooling effect. On a cool, wet day, water is re-adsorbed into the material, producing heat. The entire system would be controlled by sensors and smart monitors embedded in the walls.

Other heating and cooling innovations recently spotted by Springwise include a thermal energy storage system that reduces energy bills, a wood-based cooling foam, and an air conditioner that lowers carbon footprint.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Bio-based membranes for energy storage
CategoriesSustainable News

Bio-based membranes for energy storage

Spotted: While the transition to renewable energy is picking up pace all the time, there are still several technological challenges facing those looking to build a fully sustainable future. One of these is the need for a more efficient way to store energy. Many renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, are intermittent, and it is vital to find ways to store this energy when it is not needed. Redox flow batteries are among the most efficient energy storage technologies. Now, Swedish startup Cellfion is working to make redox flow batteries even more efficient with a unique, bio-based membrane.

Redox flow batteries are a type of electrochemical cell where dissolved chemicals are pumped through the system on separate sides of a membrane, leading to ion transfer and the flow of electric current through an external circuit. Cellfion has developed a novel ion-selective membrane derived from cellulose. The cellulose fibres are extracted from wood and fabricated into membrane sheets that are then used as components in energy storage and conversion devices.

The bio-based membranes have several advantages over traditional membranes, which are often made from chemical polymers such as perfluorosulfonic acid. Cellfion’s cellulose membranes are non-toxic and decomposable but retain the high ion selectivity and conductivity typical of traditional membranes. In addition, at the end of their life, they can be incinerated without releasing any toxins into the environment, unlike traditional membranes.

According to Liam Hardey, Cellfion CEO, “To the best of our knowledge and extensive research, we are the first company working towards the commercialisation of bio-based membranes with no toxic substances at all”. He adds this is vital because, “If the clean energy industry is to become sustainable, we need to ensure that the materials we are using are also truly sustainable.”

More efficient battery storage is a key part of the transition to renewable energy. This is why Springwise is seeing an increase in new, more sustainable battery technologies. Innovations in this space include a green battery made from abundant and locally-sourced components and batteries that dissolve in water.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Reference

Bladeless wind turbines produce 24-hour energy in any weather
CategoriesSustainable News

Bladeless wind turbines produce 24-hour energy in any weather

Spotted: Just like sunshine, wind is a fairly constant aspect of the weather, yet as an energy source, it still suffers from variability. Now, a small, sleek wind turbine that generates power from winds as low as five miles per hour could tackle this issue and be one of the swiftest ways for buildings to become carbon neutral. Created by Aeromine Technologies, the bladeless turbines take up a fraction of the footprint of traditional wind farms and produce the same amount of power as that of 16 solar panels. 

Designed specifically for use on top of large buildings with flat roofs, the turbines are easy to install and maintain, particularly because they do not have rotor blades. The turbines connect directly to a building’s electrical system and work much like a racecar does, using aerodymanic designs to amplify the flow of air away from the structure. Despite working constantly, the turbines are completely silent.

Aeromine generally installs 20 to 40 of the turbines on the side of a building’s roof that receives the most consistent wind. That is usually enough to provide all of the power required by a large commercial or residential building. When combined with solar, a building could run completely on renewable energy.

Making better use of ignored spaces is a particularly effective means of reducing reliance on petrol power. Springwise has spotted small turbines harnessing hydroelectric power from slow flowing streams and rivers, as well as nanotechnology being used to generate energy from locations where rivers meet the sea.  

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Go Small, Live Well – Zero Energy Project
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Go Small, Live Well – Zero Energy Project

Hopefully, this period of human existence will be known for the rapid and effective response to the existential crisis of climate change. Either that, or human culture will descend into a Mad Max scramble for survival. Either way, homes will be changing. Perhaps the most noticeable change will be the shrinking of living space. The median square footage of a new home sold in the US in 2020 was 2,333 square feet, and many “luxury” homes range from over-sized to gargantuan. Fortunately, there is a counter trend of modest-sized houses that are more affordable and fit better on small urban lots. And that counter trend has deep roots. In the late 1940s, the average new home was just 750 square feet. In the 1950s, it increased to 950 square feet, 1,100 square feet in the 1960s and 1,350 sf in the 1970s. In fact, most of us at an age to purchase a home were raised in houses that are much smaller than those we see on the market today. 

 

Small homes have smaller carbon footprints. They consume fewer building materials, need smaller equipment, cost less, and require less energy to operate. Even better, they require less time and effort for cleaning and maintenance. You may think that less living space means sacrifice, but a well-designed home can live big in fewer square feet. 

 

The right size home is the smallest that will work for your current needs. Many homebuyers fall into the trap of buying for “resale.” They buy rooms and features that they don’t really want or need, because they may believe the market demands these features. If it was ever true, it’s now a myth perpetuated by some real estate brokers. There’s a need to educate today’s homebuyers to see through the myth that “bigger is better.” In fact, as the housing market changes, it’s likely that large homes with empty bedrooms and high energy bills may not compete well in the market as smart buyers migrate to small, energy-efficient homes with lower operating costs. And today’s homebuyers will want to be in the vanguard of this trend, not the tail end. 

 

Everyone is different and has different needs, but here are some basic size considerations: 

  • Single person or couple: 600-1,000 sq. ft.
  • 3 to 4 person family: 1,200 – 1,600 sq. ft. 
  • Larger families 1,800 to 2,000 sq. ft. 

 

Good design can deliver comfort, utility, and a feeling of spaciousness in a smaller space. The deciding factor should be that homes fit the owner’s current needs and known needs for the future in the smallest possible footprint. 

 

Follow the principles of smart, small home design 

 

Keep it simple. Architectural complexity increases cost and complicates insulation and air sealing details. This doesn’t mean that we need to live in cubes. However, when you add corners beyond the usual four, make sure the benefit outweighs the costs. Think of the home’s footprint as two or more connected rectangles — small ones. 

Invite natural light. Careful selection, sizing, and location of windows can flood a small space with natural light, making it look larger without increasing energy use. Windows with higher sill heights limit total window area while preserving views, and light — providing ample space to place furniture against the wall below the windows. 

Share light between rooms. Indoor windows, glass block partition walls, full- or half-lite glazed doors, and transoms allow light from a brighter space into an adjacent area that has less natural light. Operable transoms also allow better air circulation in small homes that use ductless heating and cooling systems. 

Open floor plans. Most modern layouts connect cooking, eating, and living spaces in a more open pattern. This makes each individual space feel larger and allows for long interior views and good air circulation. 

High ceilings. Smaller rooms need not feel cramped. High ceilings (nine or ten feet) add an airy feeling and visual interest. Consider well insulated cathedral ceilings, which create more interior volume. Some of this volume can contain usable space, such as lofts, mechanical rooms, or heated storage. Even if it’s not directly functional, high ceilings bring visual appeal to smaller rooms. 

Reduce circulation paths. Shorten or eliminate hallways, unless they serve a dual purpose. Traffic patterns can flow around the perimeter of rooms with open floor plans adding to the perception of spaciousness.

Eliminate formal spaces. Formal living and dining rooms are seldom used. Most people gather in kitchens, family rooms, or outdoor spaces. Avoid showcase rooms that are rarely used.

Create soft separations. Distinguish between functional spaces without building walls. Divide large rooms with “soft” visual cues, such as differing floor finishes, wall colors, moveable partitions, hanging plants, or furniture arrangements that differentiate the spaces. Or you can tie spaces together visually using similar materials, such as flooring, wall coverings, and trim, giving the overall impression of greater space.

Multi-use spaces. Every space in the home should serve more than one function. A home office and guest bedroom is a common combination. A hall or stairway can be used as a library or gallery, a landing can be a reading nook, the mudroom or bathroom can be a laundry. Install built-ins for exercise equipment and media, rather than using separate rooms — or include an exercise nook in the garage.

Build in furniture. Cabinets, bookcases, benches, work desks, and eating nooks use less space when they become part of the structure. Recess bookcases or display cases into interior walls. 

Create privacy. Everyone needs a place to spend a bit of quality time alone. This can be difficult in a small house, so create a private space. It could be a cozy window seat, a secluded loft, or a comfy chair in a solitary corner. 

Laundry in a closet. The washer and dryer don’t need privacy. Instead of getting their own room, stack them in a closet or in other space, such as a mudroom, bathroom, or utility closet. Several utilitarian functions, such as laundry, water heating, and ventilation equipment can be located in a mudroom. Add shelves and cupboards for cleaning supplies and linens, and space for hanging clothes to dry. 

Contain the mess. Clutter makes spaces seem smaller. There are countless methods to stay organized. Give the kids their own built-in cubbies in the mudroom to store coats, hats, and other personal gear. Add shelves and cupboards above a mudroom laundry. Add closets under stairs.

Include unheated space. Storage, hobbies, and exercise can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Expand unconditioned spaces, such as the garage, full basements, or sheds to accommodate these functions at much lower cost per square foot. 

Encourage outside living. Large patios and decks extend the living space during mild weather. 

Bring in the outdoors. Locate windows and glazed doors for optimal views of the outdoors to create a visual extension and bring the outside in. Patio, deck, or courtyard doors extend the living space past the outer walls during fair weather. 

Work-at-home space. Remote workers cherish a quiet place to concentrate. Combine a home office with a complimentary function. A bedroom can be used at night for sleeping and during the day for office work — and these functions can be kept distinct. A Murphy bed will hide away during the day, and desk and work tools can be concealed by a cabinet or a curtain when not in use. 

Provide ample storage. When people want a “bigger house” they may actually need more storage. In small homes, careful planning can provide densely packed, three-dimensional, tightly organized storage — so it does not add square feet. Instead of large walk-in closets and pantries, consider making them open spaces where you can easily access three walls of shelves. If you have a closet door, you can use the back side of the door for hooks, racks, or baskets. Make use of the stairwell walls for hooks or cupboards. Always use the space below a staircase, but be more sophisticated than a simple closet door leading into an oddly shaped room. The shorter regions near the base of the stairs could have large drawers that fully use the space below the bottom steps. 

Stop swinging. Sliding doors use less space than swinging doors. Consider using pocket doors that slide into a wall cavity, a rolling door that hangs on the wall surface, a simple curtain on a rod, or no door at all. Rolling doors don’t seal tightly, which could be a concern for privacy. On the other hand, there is ample airflow around the door for ventilation and space conditioning to penetrate. 

Plan for flexibility. The design should allow for changes in lifestyle. A young couple may have children. Grown children will leave the nest. A business could be born in the kitchen and grow in the guest bedroom. Plan for these changes. Pre-plan a future addition or consider ways new uses could be accommodated inside the existing footprint. The upstairs or basement could become an apartment for an aging relative. 

 

Stock Plans for Small Homes

We may think that building small homes is a new idea, but in the 1950s through the early 1970s the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation released a series of small house designs to encourage affordable housing. The concept behind these plans holds up well today, but it needs to be updated to zero energy and contemporary expectations, such as multiple bathrooms. 

 

Some modern designers are also embracing the idea. Here’s a contemporary take on small house plans that can be upgraded with energy-saving features. Zero Energy Plans offers plans for a range of small zero energy homes. Just click on “Plan Filters” and go to the zero energy home size choices to find a suitable match. 

 

If you can’t find the perfect house plan, consider a custom zero energy design that meets your size needs exactly. Seek out zero energy designers and builders who understand the trend towards smaller more energy-efficient homes. With good design and conscientious construction, you may find that a small, custom-built, zero energy house is not only within reach but lives very well! 

Reference

The 2021 EEBA Team Zero Inventory of Zero Energy Homes Is Now Underway
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

The 2021 EEBA Team Zero Inventory of Zero Energy Homes Is Now Underway

MINNEAPOLIS, December 2, 2021 (Newswire.com) – The Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) is embarking on the 6th annual EEBA Team Zero Inventory of Zero Energy Homes and invites all zero energy (ZE) builders, designers, architects, developers and owners to upload their projects to the database.

The yearly report tracks ZE single and multifamily home trends and leaders across the U.S. and Canada. Currently, the Inventory includes ~28,000 ZE projects voluntarily submitted.

As of the 2020 report, all projects are zero-energy ready and above, with the minority of projects listed in the Inventory as net zero or net producers. “The reality is that many homes, although they may not achieve that absolute goal, are designed as part of the larger movement towards zero energy, and we can learn from all of them. So, we included all of them,” the report explains.

“Maintaining the Inventory is important because it sheds light on North American ZE growth patterns, high-performance technologies used, as well as the major players who are adopting ZE design and construction as a profitable business model,” EEBA’s CEO, Aaron Smith, says.

The need for ZE housing is clear. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. homes consume ~ 21% of the total energy used annually. As for carbon emissions, the average home releases 70% more CO2 into the environment than a typical car or about 17,320 lbs. yearly. Thus, reducing home energy demand to net zero is economically and environmentally critical as well as achievable.

EEBA Team Zero started tracking the proliferation of U.S. and Canadian ZE homes in 2015. Since then, the yearly report has shown a consistent upward trend, with the multifamily sector leading the pack. “Multiunit developers don’t adopt practices that aren’t profitable,” concluded Smith.

Those interested in submitting their projects to the Inventory can go to https://teamzero.org/add-your-listing/. Projects approved before Feb. 15, 2022, will be added to the 2021 report. For questions regarding the Inventory or other media inquiries, please contact mary@eeba.org.

 

About EEBA Team Zero

For over 35 years, EEBA has provided the most trusted resources for building science information and education in the construction industry. EEBA delivers turn-key educational resources and events designed to transform residential construction practices through high-performance design, marketing, materials, and technologies. In addition, EEBA reaches thousands of key decision-makers and other essential industry players each year through our educational events, the annual Summit, and various publications and resources. In 2021, the nonprofit Team Zero integrated their services and expertise into EEBA’s organization. This integration includes “The Gateway to Zero” and The Inventory of Zero Energy Homes Database and related reports. To learn more about EEBA Team Zero, visit www.eeba.org.

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The world’s largest flow battery energy storage system
CategoriesSustainable News

The world’s largest flow battery energy storage system

Spotted: As the world strives to achieve carbon neutrality, energy storage technology is becoming increasingly important. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are intermittent, meaning they’re not always available when needed. Energy storage can help to even out these fluctuations, making renewables a more reliable and consistent source of power. One of the largest energy storage projects in the world is currently being completed in Dalian, China.

The Dalian Flow Battery Energy Storage Peak-shaving Power Station will have a capacity of 100 megawatts/400 megawatt-hours, making it one of the largest storage facilities in terms of both power and capacity. The project is due to be completed in mid-October and will play an important role in helping China meet its climate goals.

The Dalian Power Station, which is based on vanadium flow battery technology developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), will serve as the city’s power bank while helping Dalian make use of renewable energy – such as wind and solar energy. The Power Station will convert electrical energy into battery-stored chemical energy and back into electrical energy, providing a reliable source of power for the city.

The power station plans to meet the daily electricity demand of about 200,000 residents. Looking ahead the aim is for these numbers to increase as the power station eventually produces 200 megawatts/800 megawatt-hours of electricity. The Power Station is an important step in Dalian’s transition to a clean energy future, and it is hoped that it will help to make the city a model for others in China and around the world.

The roll-out of renewables is gathering pace and with that roll-out comes innovation in energy storage. Springwise has recently spotted innovations such as a thermal energy storage system and a new system that stores energy in the form of heat and compressed air.  

Written By: Katrina Lane

Reference

Recyclable turbines for onshore wind energy
CategoriesSustainable News

Recyclable turbines for onshore wind energy

Spotted: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), wind energy generation hit a record 273 terawatt-hours in 2021. And the IEA further forecasts that, in order to meet the agency’s net zero by 2050 scenario, the world will need to install 7,900 terrawatt-hours of wind electricity generation by 2030.

As wind power grows in importance, the need to consider the whole lifecycle of a wind turbine is more important than ever. While wind power is a clean and renewable form of energy, the turbines themselves are not without an environmental cost. And one of the most intractable issues to date has been the fact that turbines are made using composite materials that are difficult to recycle. Against this backdrop, the Siemens Gamesa RecyclableBlade, launched in September 2021 and first installed at a project in Germany in July, is a step in the right direction.

The blade is made of a composite material that can be recycled and reused, reducing the need for new materials. In addition, the blade is designed to be dismantled and transported back to the factory for recycling, making it easier to recycle than traditional blades. With its innovative recyclable solutions, Siemens Gamesa is helping to propel the activities that make wind energy even more sustainable, creating a fully circular sector.

Turbine blades are made from composite materials, including resin, glass and carbon fibers. The recycling process for these materials is complex and costly. However, Siemens’ new RecyclableBlade process uses a mild acidic solution to separate the materials at the end of the turbine’s lifetime. Those materials can then be recycled for use in other industrial applications. This could help to reduce the environmental impact of wind energy production and make the turbines more economically viable in the long run.

The innovation is part of Siemens’ larger sustainability vision, which includes a core target to produce fully recyclable wind turbines by 2040. After the run at RWE’s Kaskasi project in Germany last July 2022, the new RecyclableBlade is now available for customers to use at their onshore wind sites.

As wind turbines become more prevalent and their disposal becomes more pressing, Springwise is seeing a rise in methods for recycling wind turbine blades. These include wind turbine bioplastic that can be recycled into gummy bears, a recyclable composite innovation turning turbine blades into snowsports equipment, and the UK’s first turbine blade recycling project.

Written By: Katrina Lane

Reference

Elemental Green and the Zero Energy Project Join Forces to Accelerate Zero Carbon Homes.
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Elemental Green and the Zero Energy Project Join Forces to Accelerate Zero Carbon Homes.

We have exciting news to share!

The Zero Energy Project has found a new home within Elemental Green, a leading green building media company dedicated to accelerating adoption of more sustainable residential building products and techniques.

By joining forces, the Zero Energy Project will reach a wider audience and have a greater opportunity to build consumer demand for zero energy and zero carbon homes, while encouraging building professionals to increase supply. Elemental Green and the Zero Energy Project, in partnership, aim to further our reach and impact – improving the discovery process for new products and professional services,  and increasing understanding of how we can build homes that are energy efficient, sustainable, and healthy.

Thank you for being part of the Zero Energy Project story and for continuing that journey jointly with Elemental Green as we all work toward creating a zero-carbon future.

Joe Emerson
Founder, The Zero Energy Project
Advisory Board, Elemental Green

Sheridan Foster
CEO, Elemental Green

Blog.

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