The large towers of wind turbines are usually made from steel. But steel production has a significant carbon footprint, so Swedish company Modvion is making wind turbine towers from wood instead.
The large towers of wind turbines are usually made from steel. But steel production has a significant carbon footprint, so Swedish company Modvion is making wind turbine towers from wood instead.
Modvion
Modvion uses laminated veneer lumber (LVL), made from multiple layers of wood stuck together with adhesives.
Modvion uses laminated veneer lumber (LVL), made from multiple layers of wood stuck together with adhesives.
Modvion
The LVL boards are manufactured into modules and then assembled into cylinders on site, pictured here.
The LVL boards are manufactured into modules and then assembled into cylinders on site, pictured here.
Modvion
Modvion is currently only making turbine towers from wood, but conventional blades also pose an environmental problem. They are manufactured from fiberglass bound together with epoxy resin, an incredibly strong material that is difficult to recycle. Instead of big blades, some companies are producing micro turbines. Pictured, A prototype of the "Wind Tree" system, which generates electricity from multiple leaf-like turbines, produced by French company New World Wind.
Modvion is currently only making turbine towers from wood, but conventional blades also pose an environmental problem. They are manufactured from fiberglass bound together with epoxy resin, an incredibly strong material that is difficult to recycle. Instead of big blades, some companies are producing micro turbines. Pictured, A prototype of the "Wind Tree" system, which generates electricity from multiple leaf-like turbines, produced by French company New World Wind.
Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images
UK-based Alpha 311 has created small wind turbines made from carbon fiber, capable of generating electricity from the energy created by passing cars. Here, an older version of the design is shown installed on the roof of London's O2 Arena.
UK-based Alpha 311 has created small wind turbines made from carbon fiber, capable of generating electricity from the energy created by passing cars. Here, an older version of the design is shown installed on the roof of London's O2 Arena.
Alpha 311
Other innovations in turbines include using the space within the towers. German company windCORES produces turbines that generate electricity for energy-hungry data centers located inside.
Other innovations in turbines include using the space within the towers. German company windCORES produces turbines that generate electricity for energy-hungry data centers located inside.
windCORES