QAZAQ GREEN.  Futuristic concepts transform decommissioned wind turbines into homes and floating platforms, offering a second life to retired energy infrastructure. 

Two Dutch companies have pioneered an innovative approach to wind turbine recycling by repurposing decommissioned components into tiny homes and floating structures. This initiative tackles a major challenge in renewable energy—disposing of wind turbine parts, which often end up in landfills or require energy-intensive recycling processes. Traditional recycling methods, especially for steel components, generate high greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need for alternative solutions.

During Dutch Design Week 2024 (October 19–27), Vattenfall and the design studio Superuse unveiled a 393-square-foot home built inside a retired wind turbine nacelle. Originally designed to house mechanical components like the generator and gearbox, the nacelle has been transformed into a functional living space with a bathroom and kitchen.

The prototype home includes modern amenities such as solar-powered electricity, water heating, and a heat pump system. Thomas Hjort, Vattenfall’s director of innovation, highlighted that minimal modifications to the existing materials reduce raw material consumption and energy use, ensuring a longer lifespan for these structures.

The design team, including Blade-Made and Woodwave, deliberately chose a small nacelle model (from a V80 2MW turbine) to demonstrate the feasibility of compact housing solutions. Larger, modern nacelles offer even greater potential for future projects.

Globally, at least 10,000 V80 nacelles remain in operation, presenting a significant opportunity for similar conversions. As wind farms transition to more advanced turbines, finding sustainable solutions for decommissioned parts is essential.

In addition to housing, Vattenfall has explored maritime applications for old turbine blades. A recent prototype successfully tested a 90-foot blade as a floating platform, potentially usable for solar parks, recreational areas, or additional housing.

Further applications for decommissioned blades include traffic noise barriers and parking garage structures, pointing toward a more circular approach to wind energy infrastructure. However, challenges remain, such as specialized recycling for turbine components containing rare earth elements.

Despite these hurdles, Dutch innovations in wind turbine recycling are shifting industry perspectives, offering viable alternatives to landfill disposal. As global wind energy demands grow, these pioneering projects could set new standards for sustainable practices in renewable energy.