COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND COST IMPACTS OF RECYCLING AND NON-RECYCLING CFRP APPLICATION ON FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE BLADES: AN LCA AND LCC APPROACH
Topic(s) : Life cycle performance
Co-authors :
Morishima TAKUMI (JAPAN), Xue PENG (JAPAN), Wan YI , Takahashi JUN , Akimoto HIROMICHIAbstract :
1 General Introduction
This study evaluates the environmental and cost impacts of using recycled carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for wind turbine blades, comparing it with traditional glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) and non-recycled CFRP. It focuses on the suitability of these materials for floating-axis offshore wind turbines (FAWT), analyzing their potential against standard floating offshore horizontal-axis wind turbines (FHAWT) and discussing the application possibilities of composite materials in the context of Japan's growing interest in large-scale offshore wind farms and efficient floating turbines.
2 Method
In this study, along with the research objective, LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) and LCC (Life Cycle Cost) analysis are applied. In Fig.2, the system boundary which is considered in this research is present in Fig.2. In this study, seven types of material models were developed. Additionally, a FAWT with a rated output of 5MW and a 5.2MW FHAWT produced by Hitachi Ltd. were used as models for wind power generation. The inventory data was gathered from corporate sites, previous research and actual measurements.
3 Discussion
3.1 LCA Result
Fig.3 and 4 in the study present the LCA results for FAWT. Depending on the blade material used, there is potential for up to a 20% reduction in energy consumption and about a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions. The study also found that the GFRP models have the largest environmental impact. Although CFRP has a higher environmental burden during manufacturing compared to GFRP, its superior material properties allow for reduced usage, leading to a lower overall environmental impact. Additionally, the lightweight nature of CFRP is important as it allows for smaller floats to be used.
3.2 LCA result comparison
As shown in Figure 5, the proportion of energy consumption and CO2 emissions attributed to the blades in the overall structure is reversed when comparing FAWT with FHAWT. This indicates that the suitability of composite materials for blades varies depending on the type of wind power generation.
3.3 LCC result comparison
LCC analysis of the blades revealed the high-cost efficiency of the traditional material models. However, when considering the potential sale profits from recycled materials, it becomes apparent that using recycled materials is ultimately more cost-effective. The importance of improving recycling technology to enhance the quality of recycled materials is thus highlighted.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by JST SPRING, Grant Number JPMJSP2108.
This study evaluates the environmental and cost impacts of using recycled carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for wind turbine blades, comparing it with traditional glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) and non-recycled CFRP. It focuses on the suitability of these materials for floating-axis offshore wind turbines (FAWT), analyzing their potential against standard floating offshore horizontal-axis wind turbines (FHAWT) and discussing the application possibilities of composite materials in the context of Japan's growing interest in large-scale offshore wind farms and efficient floating turbines.
2 Method
In this study, along with the research objective, LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) and LCC (Life Cycle Cost) analysis are applied. In Fig.2, the system boundary which is considered in this research is present in Fig.2. In this study, seven types of material models were developed. Additionally, a FAWT with a rated output of 5MW and a 5.2MW FHAWT produced by Hitachi Ltd. were used as models for wind power generation. The inventory data was gathered from corporate sites, previous research and actual measurements.
3 Discussion
3.1 LCA Result
Fig.3 and 4 in the study present the LCA results for FAWT. Depending on the blade material used, there is potential for up to a 20% reduction in energy consumption and about a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions. The study also found that the GFRP models have the largest environmental impact. Although CFRP has a higher environmental burden during manufacturing compared to GFRP, its superior material properties allow for reduced usage, leading to a lower overall environmental impact. Additionally, the lightweight nature of CFRP is important as it allows for smaller floats to be used.
3.2 LCA result comparison
As shown in Figure 5, the proportion of energy consumption and CO2 emissions attributed to the blades in the overall structure is reversed when comparing FAWT with FHAWT. This indicates that the suitability of composite materials for blades varies depending on the type of wind power generation.
3.3 LCC result comparison
LCC analysis of the blades revealed the high-cost efficiency of the traditional material models. However, when considering the potential sale profits from recycled materials, it becomes apparent that using recycled materials is ultimately more cost-effective. The importance of improving recycling technology to enhance the quality of recycled materials is thus highlighted.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by JST SPRING, Grant Number JPMJSP2108.