WIND TURBINE BLADE EROSION AND REPAIRS
We have been trying to quantify how much PFAS and micro-plastics laden material is involved in this process with the aid of AI.
We know from materials industry reports that the global market for repair epoxy is $626.6 million in 2024 and expected to grow to $1,943.10 million by 2034.
The 2024 figure would represent around 30,241 tonnes of which the UK share is 10 to 15% so let's say a conservative 10% or 3,020 tonnes at the lowest wholesale prices.
THAT'S 3,020 TONNES FOR UK REPAIR EPOXY ALONE!
Some of that will spoil before its expiration date and that figure is
454 tonnes so we are left with 2,566 tonnes annually!
According to AI, the 'average' repair removes 6.8 kg of material and generates 1.36 kg of sanding waste. On average, blades need major repairs every 5 to 10 years with minor repairs either during annual service or every 1 to 3 years.
So, if we just consider sanding waste, and a 7 year cycle, that would be around 0.6 kg per turbine per year, (which oddly enough corresponds with our estimation for BPA based on the German EPA report that factors in landfill, but here we are talking about all material not just BPA).
If the UK fleet is 11,000 turbines, that represents 6.41 tonnes of fibre glass dust containing PFAS and micro plastics as sanding waste alone.
Then consider how much has already been removed and spread by erosion such that the repair is necessary? According to AI, that roughly correlates to the amount required for the repair so likely 6.8 kg per blade, per 7 years.
So now we are getting on for 3.5 kg per turbine, per year as the material replaced plus sanding waste.
So where does it all go?
The last we heard from a blade technician, no UK contractors are using vacuum dust collection when power sanding so it goes to the wind, the soil, our food, our water and of course our lungs!
Again, let's look to AI Overview for the implications, just considering 'fibreglass dust' with no mention of PFAS or BPA etc
:
Fibreglass dust can cause a number of health issues, including:
Short-term health effects:
Skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and temporary stomach irritation
Long-term health effects: Lung tissue damage, respiratory problems, increased risk of lung cancer, and possible human carcinogens
Aggravated conditions: Exposure to fibreglass can aggravate asthma and bronchitis
The risk of developing respiratory issues depends on several factors, including:
Fiber size: Smaller, finer fibers can penetrate deeper into the lungs and cause more severe health issues
Exposure duration and intensity: The longer and more intense the exposure, the greater the risk
Individual susceptibility: People with pre-existing respiratory conditions are more vulnerable to complications
In conclusion, would you choose to live downwind from turbines?
What will be the long term cumulative effect?
One final thought:
If we are wrong in this, then why is the UK buying in so much specific wind turbine blade repair epoxy?
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