The German energy company RWE is loud own information a cooperation with Modvion received. The Swedish company has specialized in the production of wind turbines in which the Laminated veneer lumber towers getting produced. Modvion claims that their wooden towers are more cost-effective, sustainable and easier to manufacture than traditional steel tower structures. The rotor blades are still made of resin, glass and carbon fibers, balsa wood and various polymers and metals.
Modvion uses robotic manufacturing technology to produce the individual wooden segments, which can then be assembled on site. The wooden towers are also said to have the advantage that, due to their more flexible structure are better able to absorb wind loads and minimize what the turbines more stable and more durable might.
According to RWE, the wood is also proportional to its weight stronger than steel, resulting in lighter towers and thus less need for reinforcements. According to Modvion, a conventional tower is responsible for most of the emissions in the production of a wind turbine.
RWE also wants to further reduce its ecological footprint with the wooden wind turbines. “The aim is to further increase the sustainability of wind power,” says Lars Borisson from RWE.
Modvion will install its first commercial wind turbine later this year. The wooden tower should be equipped with a 2 megawatt wind turbine be equipped and including the rotor blades 150 Meter be high The company then plans to 6 megawatt systemas it is called.
Wooden rotor blades
Another company has also committed itself to the material wood for wind turbines. Blades of Voodoo manufactures rotor blades from wood. Currently a 20 meter rotor blade tested one 0.5 megawatt system should operate. Next is a 80 meter rotor blade planned.
One of the biggest problems with wind turbines today is the fact that conventional rotor blades are very difficult to recycle. The rotor blades made of wood could change that in the future.
