As part of the Circular Innovation Challenge – Wind Energy | International Edition 2024, carried out in partnership with RECYC-QUÉBEC and supported by RBC, HPSH is launching an ambitious pilot project aimed at transforming end-of-life wind turbine blades into reusable materials.

Wind Energy Sector Materials

The ongoing energy transition — driven by the electrification of transportation, the reduction of fossil fuel use, and the increasing share of renewable energy in our energy mix — will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it also introduces new challenges, particularly regarding the management of end-of-life materials.

According to the Québec Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MERN, 2022), a total of 1,985 wind turbines were installed in Québec between 1999 and 2021, primarily in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region. Considering an average lifespan of 25–30 years, turbines installed in the early 2000s will begin reaching end-of-life in the coming years.

Recognizing the importance of this issue, RECYC-QUÉBEC published a study in 2022 outlining current and projected material flows required for Québec’s energy transition. One key finding: within just 9 years, the volume of materials generated will increase from 2,562 tonnes in 2021 to over 124,000 tonnes annually by 2030 — nearly a 50-fold increase.

As the number of wind turbines continues to grow — notably under Hydro-Québec’s 2035 plan, which includes the addition of approximately 1,500 turbines — the need for innovative and sustainable end-of-life material management solutions is becoming a top priority.

Project Objectives

The project addresses a major challenge in the wind industry: turbine blades, made of complex composite materials, are currently difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills.

HPSH proposes an innovative technology capable of:

  • Transforming composite materials into fibers, powders, and aggregates
  • Integrating these materials into new concrete formulations, particularly for wind turbine foundations
  • Significantly reducing waste and the carbon footprint of concrete
  • Establishing a circular economy loop within the wind energy sector

Benefits for Industrial Partners

This project provides several strategic advantages for industry stakeholders:

  • Strong environmental impact: reduced landfill use and lower cement-related emissions
  • Access to HPSH’s expertise in composite materials and its patented high-performance hybrid structures technology
  • Strategic positioning as leaders in circular economy practices within the wind sector

Participating industrial partners include INNERGEX, BORALEX, KRUGER, EDF Electrical Solutions, and HYDRO-QUÉBEC, all of whom contribute to both the funding and success of the project.

Budget and Funding

The project has a total budget of CAD 252,000, with 70% funded through provincial and federal grants. The remaining portion is covered by HPSH and its industrial partners. This blend of public and private funding highlights the strength of collaborative partnerships in accelerating circular innovation.

Federal funding is provided through the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). At the provincial level, funding is granted by the Québec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy through PRIMA Québec (Advanced Materials Research and Innovation Hub). This support is part of a call for projects aimed at funding feasibility studies and planning innovative circular economy initiatives, administered by the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Industrial Bioprocesses in Québec (CRIBIQ).

This pilot project demonstrates how technological innovation, industrial collaboration, and public support can converge to deliver a concrete recycling solution for the wind energy sector. It positions its partners as key players in the circular economy and paves the way for broader adoption of recycled materials in concrete applications.