Dutch companies Vattenfall and Superuse showcased a tiny home built inside the hollowed-out nacelle (casing) of a decommissioned wind turbine. The 393 sq ft home includes a living space, bathroom and solar-powered amenities.
Recycling wind turbine components is challenging as they often end up in landfills. This project shows one way to reuse major turbine parts like the nacelle.
Around 10,000 V80 model turbine nacelles will need recycling in coming years. Future nacelles could provide even more room for tiny homes.
A prototype blade was modified to float and topped with a dwelling, fence and furniture as a conceptual floating playground or home. With reinforcement, smaller blades could become artificial islands.
Other potential reuses suggested include floating solar farms, sound barriers, boat houses. Full recycling will require various solutions depending on the component.
The projects aim to inspire more innovative recycling ideas as turbine fleets age globally. With the right design approaches, the companies believe turbine materials can have long second lives after their initial energy production.
Source: Popular Science
