ORIGINAL PAPER
Recycling potential of wind turbines supporting by European Green Deal policy – comparative energy analysis between Poland and Germany
1
DEIM, University of Tuscia, Italy
Submission date: 2025-04-13
Final revision date: 2025-06-13
Acceptance date: 2025-06-16
Publication date: 2025-12-19
Corresponding author
Polityka Energetyczna – Energy Policy Journal 2025;28(4):201-226
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The European Green Deal represents a landmark initiative aimed at steering the continent towards a sustainable future, with renewable wind energy occupying a central role in this transition. This research delves into the multifaceted aspects of renewable wind energy within the context of the European Green Deal, focusing on several key dimensions. Firstly, the study examines the energy generation associated with both wind energy and coal energy, providing a comparative analysis to underscore the environmental advantages of renewable alternatives. Through detailed case studies centered on coal mining regions in Poland and Germany, the socio-economic dynamics of transitioning from coal-dependent economies to renewable energy systems are explored, elucidating the challenges and opportunities inherent in such transitions.
The end-of-life management of wind turbines, particularly recycling and reuse, presents significant challenges. This paper analyzes the recycling potential of wind turbines in Poland and Germany under the European Green Deal policy. While up to 85% of turbine components can be recycled, composite material blades, made of glass fibers and plastic polymers, remain difficult to recycle due to their complex structure.
Furthermore, the research investigates the application of circular economy principles within the wind energy sector, emphasizing strategies for resource efficiency, recycling, and waste reduction. This research has the most important impact on the European Green Deal and makes a new European zone with the goal of achieving zero carbon emissions. By synthesizing these diverse strands, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of how renewable wind energy can serve as a linchpin for achieving sustainability objectives outlined in the European Green Deal.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Author has no conflicts of interest to declare
METADATA IN OTHER LANGUAGES:
Polish
Potencjał recyklingu turbin wiatrowych wspierany przez politykę Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu – analiza porównawcza energetyczna Polski i Niemiec
recykling turbin wiatrowych, Europejski Zielony Ład, gospodarka o obiegu zamkniętym, energia odnawialna, zrównoważony rozwój
Europejski Zielony Ład stanowi przełomową inicjatywę mającą na celu skierowanie kontynentu w stronę zrównoważonej przyszłości, a odnawialna energia wiatrowa odgrywa kluczową rolę w tej transformacji. Niniejsze badania zgłębiają wielowymiarowe aspekty odnawialnej energii wiatrowej w kontekście Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu, koncentrując się na kilku kluczowych wymiarach. Przede wszystkim w badaniu analizuje się wytwarzanie energii zarówno z energii wiatrowej, jak i węglowej, przedstawiając analizę porównawczą w celu podkreślenia korzyści środowiskowych wynikających z alternatywnych źródeł energii odnawialnej. Na podstawie szczegółowych studiów przypadków skupiających się na regionach wydobycia węgla w Polsce i Niemczech badana jest dynamika społeczno-gospodarcza przejścia od gospodarek uzależnionych od węgla do systemów energii odnawialnej. Wyjaśniane są także wyzwania i możliwości związane z takimi przemianami.
Zarządzanie turbinami wiatrowymi po zakończeniu ich eksploatacji, w szczególności recykling i ponowne wykorzystanie, stanowi poważne wyzwanie. W niniejszym artykule przeanalizowano potencjał recyklingowy turbin wiatrowych w Polsce i Niemczech w ramach Europejskiego Zielonego Ładu. Mimo że 85% elementów turbin można poddać recyklingowi, łopaty wykonane z materiałów kompozytowych, takich jak włókna szklane i polimery plastikowe, są trudne do recyklingu ze względu na swoją złożoną strukturę.
Ponadto badania dotyczą zastosowania zasad gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym w sektorze energii wiatrowej, z naciskiem na strategie efektywnego wykorzystania zasobów, recyklingu i redukcji odpadów. Badania te mają największy wpływ na Europejski Zielony Ład i tworzą nową strefę europejską, której celem jest osiągnięcie zerowej emisji dwutlenku węgla. Dzięki połączeniu różnych wątków niniejsze badanie przyczynia się do kompleksowego zrozumienia, w jaki sposób odnawialna energia wiatrowa może służyć jako podstawa do osiągnięcia celów zrównoważonego rozwoju, określonych w Europejskim Zielonym Ładzie.
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