In the renewable energy framework, EOLIAN project emerges as a timely and transformative response to a growing environmental and industrial challenge: the sustainable production of wind turbine blades and the management of their end-of-life. EOLIAN proposes a breakthrough solution: the development of a new generation of smart wind turbine blades based on circular, fully recyclable chemistry using bio-based vitrimer resins reinforced with basalt fibres and embedded with in-mould electronics for structural health monitoring and anti-icing functionality.
Vitrimers, with their dynamic covalent bonds, enable circular recycling through both chemical depolymerization and mechanical reshaping, without compromising mechanical performance. The integration of printed sensors and heating elements allows for real-time damage detection and ice prevention, improving safety, reducing downtime, and extending blade lifespan.
The project goes far beyond the current state of the art. While existing recycling methods for composites - mechanical, thermal, or chemical - are limited in efficiency, scalability, and environmental impact, EOLIAN introduces a fundamentally new approach: materials designed from the outset for circularity. The use of basalt fibres, which can potentially outperform glass fibres in durability and recyclability, and bio-based resins derived from vanillin and vegetable oils, reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainability.
The expected impact is substantial. EOLIAN aims to reach a bio-based content of 80%, and at the same time, to obtain materials which can be recycled reused and repurposed, which a cut of CO2 emissions of at least 10%. This will allow the creation of new market opportunities for high-performance recycled materials.
In summary, EOLIAN not only addresses the pressing issues of wind blade end-of-life management but also offers a transformative vision for the sector - one rooted in material innovation, sustainability, and smart functionality.
