Wind energy development in China: Addressing the growing issue of wind turbine blade disposal amidst the decommissioning wave.

Abstract

China's world-leading wind power capacity faces an impending wave of wind turbine blade decommissioning, which poses significant environmental and resource recovery challenges due to the difficult-to-recycle composite materials used, primarily glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). This paper analyzes the prospects for recycling retired wind turbine blades (RWTBs) within the Chinese context. We review and assess the development status and characteristics of the main recycling technologies-mechanical, pyrolysis, and chemical recycling-which are currently focused on filler and feedstock applications but are hindered by material performance and cost limitations. Furthermore, we examine the evolving policy landscape supporting R&D and industrial development for RWTB recycling in China, placing it within a global comparative framework alongside the EU and US. Complementing this analysis, the study employs data visualization to map China's historical installation trends and the geographical distribution of blade waste, clarifying the scale and spatial dynamics of the impending challenge. Future research priorities include enhancing recycled fiber quality, reducing process costs, and exploring new application areas. This comprehensive analysis concludes that a synergistic approach, combining policy support, technological innovation, and market mechanisms, is essential to establish a sustainable and circular management system for RWTBs in China. Achieving efficient, large-scale RWTB recycling is crucial for the sustainability of China's wind industry and its carbon neutrality goals.