We are thrilled to announce the four winners of the 2024 International Edition of the Circular Wind Innovation Challenge. Supported by RECYC-QUÉBEC, this initiative marks a significant milestone toward a more circular future for Quebec’s wind energy sector.

Challenge Background

Quebec’s wind energy sector is experiencing rapid growth and plays a vital role in the province’s energy transition. However, a major challenge lies ahead: managing wind turbine waste at the end of its lifecycle. By 2030, Quebec is expected to handle 125,000 tons of wind-related waste annually, a figure that could rise to 145,000 tons by 2050. This substantial volume poses both environmental and logistical challenges, particularly regarding wind turbine blades, which are primarily made from composite materials that are difficult to recycle.

The Circular Wind Innovation Challenge seeks to address these challenges by identifying innovative solutions for eco-design, reuse, and recycling of materials from wind farms. By collaborating with Quebec’s industrial ecosystem, the winners will have the opportunity to test their solutions through pilot projects, paving the way for a fully circular wind energy sector.

2024 Winners

  • BladeMade – Netherlands: Transforms end-of-life wind turbine blades into sustainable, ergonomic, and iconic construction elements for urban and public spaces, promoting sustainable reuse over traditional recycling.
  • Fibecycle – Canada: Recycles wind turbine blade waste into eco-friendly materials, creating the building blocks for sustainable products and fostering a new circular economy for reinforced plastics.
  • Geomega Innord – Canada: Develops innovative technologies for the extraction and separation of rare earth elements and other critical metals essential for a sustainable future.
  • HPSH – Canada: Repurposes wind turbine blade materials to create innovative concrete mixes, reducing CO₂ emissions and avoiding landfill.

Program Partners

The success of this challenge relies on collaboration with leading industry partners who provide valuable expertise at every stage of the wind energy value chain in Quebec:

  • Boralex, EDF Renouvelables and Innergex – These wind farm developers, builders, and operators contribute their expertise to assess the feasibility of proposed solutions in the Quebec context.
  • ENERCON and Vestas – As wind turbine manufacturers, they bring their design and production expertise to ensure robust and durable solutions.
  • Hydro-Québec – A leader in renewable energy in Quebec, Hydro-Québec plays a key role in integrating these innovative solutions into the province’s energy ecosystem.
  • RECYC-QUÉBEC – By actively supporting this program, RECYC-QUÉBEC fosters the emergence of an ambitious and innovative circular economy in the wind energy sector.

Next Steps

In 2025, the focus will be on supporting the operational implementation of the winning solutions. Pilot projects will be tested under real-world conditions in Quebec to assess their environmental impact and effectiveness. These initiatives will help drive a more sustainable and circular approach to wind turbine material management in the province.

We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders involved in this ambitious project and congratulate the winners on their groundbreaking innovations. Together, we are shaping a greener and more circular future for Quebec’s wind energy sector. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of these exciting projects!