Logistics Optimization of Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades for Energy Recovery in Cement Plant in Bahia

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the logistics of decommissioning wind turbine blades for an energy recovery scenario in a cement kiln in the State of Bahia -Brazil. The Center of Gravity Method (CGM) was used to define the optimized location of the Materials Processing Center (MPC) from waste resources based on the coordinates, composite material mass and transportation cost of the 247 wind farms, while the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) was used to elaborate the mass balance from Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex. The results indicated that the energy recovery of the 1 070 t composite material of the Brotas de Macaúbas Wind Complex can replace 642 t of petroleum coke in a cement plant. Energy recovery in cement plants provides a feasible method for composite disposal of old blades, as long as the costs of transportation, segregation, and shredding are affordable.