Conclusions
- The study proposes a pioneering framework for addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with decommissioned wind turbine blades (DWTBs) by repurposing them as Highway Overhead Sign Structures (OSS).
- The successful implementation of this approach is supported by the residual strength analysis of DWTBs, which confirms their suitability for use in OSS despite their prior service conditions.
- The residual strength evaluations indicate that the blades retain sufficient structural capacity to be effectively utilized in new applications, providing confidence in their long-term performance and safety.
- The analysis demonstrates that utilizing DWTBs for OSS leads to a 73% reduction in raw material costs, significant savings in steel and concrete, and a reduction of 242 tons of CO2 emissions per structure.
- The repurposing of DWTB into OSS structures not only provides a sustainable solution for managing end-of-life wind turbine blades but also supports global sustainability objectives.
- The project aligns with the net-zero emissions goal by 2050 and demonstrates a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure projects.