Wood, an ecological alternative in the offshore eolic energy sector.
by
Maria Pia Rossignaud
17 September 2020
4 min read
by
Maria Pia Rossignaud
17 September 2020
4 min read
Producing renewable energy from sustainable materials could soon be a reality. In Gothenburg, Sweden, the industrial design company Modvion has designed and built the first wind turbine blade made almost entirely of wood. It could just be the standard bearer for a real revolution in the industry.
The Swedish company has installed a 30 metre-high tower, built in layers with interlocking glulam components (apart from the turbine which, inevitably, is still steel). The strong point of this new construction method is that you can assemble the wind turbine on site instead of transporting it whole, as you would with a steel model.
Producing the steel used in today’s turbine towers means producing more CO2. In addition, their height of around 100 metres and minimum diameter at the base of 4.5 metres translate into enormous relocation costs, not to mention logistical difficulties. In Europe and North America (where the technology is most used) that makes the structures more expensive.
Wood, on the other hand, besides being a renewable and sustainable material, is much lighter than steel and can be transported in components, thus reducing transport costs. And that's not all. The trees used for the towers throughout their life cycle would absorb CO2, thus offsetting the gas emitted during their construction and transport. The result is a carbon-neutral wind turbine. Modvion is also considering using recycled wood, taking circularity to the next level in this hypothetical system for producing and recycling energy and materials.
The potential to build on this research has not escaped the European Innovation Council, which has decided, through the European Commission, to allocate 6.5 million euros to the project. Modvion has stated that it will use these funds to build a commercial tower and a plant in the Gothenburg area, where this technology will become an industry. Otto Lundman, CEO of the company, spoke enthusiastically about the project at a press conference: "This is a major breakthrough that paves the way for the next generation of wind turbines. Laminated wood is stronger than steel... and by building in modules, the wind turbines can be taller... we also reduce carbon dioxide emissions in manufacturing.”
Wooden towers have the additional advantage of a modular structure that can easily be made higher than that of their steel counterparts. This opens the door to new experiments. According to some studies, a turbine mounted on a 140 metre-high tower, for example, can generate 33% more electricity than the same turbine on an 80 metre-high tower.
The 30 metre blade, built for the Chalmers University of Technology's wind power technology centre and installed in Gothenburg, is a one-to-five scale version of the traditional 150 metre model and is scheduled to be installed on a commercial scale in 2022.
The construction of this new wind turbine, which has been a source of great interest both in Sweden and around the EU, was made possible by the support of the Västra Götaland regional council and the Swedish Energy Agency. Sara Fogelström, coordinator of the Swedish Wind Power Technology Centre (SWPTC) says on the Chalmers website: “For a university, it is unique to have access to a test wind turbine that is made to scale and equipped with that many different sensors. The ability to control and adjust the various parameters of the wind turbine enables new research opportunities.” The website goes on to say that “Within a couple of decades, wind power is expected to be the largest, or second largest, energy source for electricity generation in Sweden. It puts high demands on cost-effective and sustainable wind power turbines with high electricity generation. Integrating wind turbines into the grid requires many different competences working together. Chalmers hosts the... Centre, which brings together players.”
This website uses cookies to show you adverts and offer you services customised according to the preferences you have shown while browsing online. For further information please refer to our cookie policy.
THIS WEBSITE (AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN) DOES NOT CONTAIN OR CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE, OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE SECURITIES OR IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY U.S. PERSON AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT (A "U.S. PERSON"), AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR OTHERWISE BE UNLAWFUL (THE "OTHER COUNTRIES"). THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO THE CORRESPONDING REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR THE “OTHER COUNTRIES” AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON UNLESS THE SECURITIES ARE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IS AVAILABLE. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SUCH SECURITIES IS INTENDED TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR IN THE “OTHER COUNTRIES.”
In any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"), the information contained in this website is only directed at and may only be communicated to persons who are "qualified investors" ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation").
The information to which this website gives access is directed only at persons (i) who are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is only available to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons, or in the EEA, with Qualified Investors. Any person who is not a relevant person, a Qualified Investor or otherwise permitted under applicable law or regulation to access the information, should not act or rely on the information contained herein.
Confirmation of Understanding and Acceptance of Disclaimer
These materials are for informational purposes only and are not directed to, nor are they intended for, access by persons located or resident in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries. I certify that:
I am not resident of, or located in, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any of the Other Countries or I am not a U.S. Person; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the EEA, I am a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation; or
If I am a resident of, or located in, the United Kingdom, I am a Qualified Investor and a relevant person.
I have read and understood the disclaimer set out above. I understand that it may affect my rights. I agree to be bound by its terms and I am permitted under applicable law and regulations to proceed to the following parts of this website.
WARNING: the above certification constitutes a "self-certification" pursuant to Decree of the President of the Italian Republic No. 445 of 28 December 2000. False certifications are punishable by law.