Aluminium: A Sustainable Solution for Wind Turbine Nacelles

In wind turbine construction, both new installations and repowering projects must optimise technology for maximum energy yield while ensuring materials meet holistic life cycle assessments. Aluminium recycler Speira and construction company Bayards advocate aluminium as a more environmentally friendly alternative for the nacelles of modern wind turbines. Compared to conventional materials like glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) or steel, aluminium offers clear advantages for the environment and efficiency.

Unlike GRP, which is based on petrochemical raw materials and is difficult to recycle, aluminium can be reused entirely without quality loss. Recycling aluminium requires only five percent of the energy needed for primary production, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. Aluminium components retain their high economic value even at the end of their life cycle.

In addition to sustainability, aluminium is lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant, and offers excellent thermal conductivity. These properties make it easier to transport and install nacelles, reduce maintenance, and enhance waste heat management.

In collaboration with Bayards, Speira has developed a modular concept for nacelle cladding. Initial calculations show that aluminium constructions are 18 percent lighter than GRP, produce 67 percent less CO₂ emissions during production, and are 100 percent recyclable.