Innovative architects are repurposing decommissioned wind turbines into functional micro homes, showcasing a sustainable alternative to traditional housing. The project, known as Nestle, features a compact design that effectively utilizes the nacelle—the housing that contains a wind turbine’s generator. This initiative marks a significant step in upcycling efforts, according to Jos de Krieger, co-founder of Blade-Made and partner at Superuse Studios, the architectural firm behind the design.
Nestle, measuring just 35 square meters (376 square feet), has a unique caravan-like appearance. The exterior is a cream-colored metal box topped with four solar panels and a skylight, while the interior boasts glass doors and windows, creating an unexpectedly light and airy space. This project debuted at the 2024 Dutch Design Week, commissioned by the Swedish energy company Vattenfall. The use of a 20-year-old V80 2MW turbine, donated by Business of Wind, signifies the first instance of a nacelle being used for housing, highlighting the potential for innovative reuse of turbine components.
Krieger emphasizes the importance of changing perceptions about turbine waste. “Everything in the built environment has an end of life,” he states, advocating for alternatives to landfill and incineration. He believes that projects like Nestle can inspire broader acceptance of upcycling as a viable solution for decommissioned materials.
From Turbines to Homes
This is not Krieger’s first venture into turbine waste transformation. In 2008, during his internship at Superuse, he worked on a project that repurposed five decommissioned turbine blades into a children’s playground. “The main challenge is that it has never been done before,” he noted, emphasizing the innovative nature of these projects. Over the past 15 years, Superuse has continued to lead in sustainable design, establishing Blade-Made in 2021 to commercialize its concepts.
Nestle showcases a collaborative effort involving multiple firms, including structural support from IMd Consulting Engineers and interior design by Woodwave and Reliving. The challenge of working with turbine components lies in their size and weight, requiring innovative solutions to adapt them for new uses. Krieger points out the need for straightforward methods to convert these materials into usable structures.
Addressing Wind Turbine Waste
As wind energy becomes increasingly vital to global infrastructure, the issue of turbine waste is gaining attention. The International Energy Agency forecasts that wind power capacity will reach approximately 1,000 gigawatts by 2025. Turbines accounted for 8 percent of global electricity production last year, with an expectation to rise to 14 percent by 2030. However, the operational lifespan of turbines is typically around 20 to 25 years, leading to increasing concerns about disposal options for decommissioned turbines.
While about 90 percent of a turbine’s mass can be recycled, the blades and nacelles pose significant challenges due to their complex structures and high fiberglass content. According to Justine Beauson, a development engineer at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the recycling of blades is technically challenging, complicating efforts to reduce waste. Projections indicate that wind blade waste in the United States could exceed 2.2 million tons by 2050, with global annual disposal needs reaching around 200,000 tons by 2033.
Several countries in Europe have already implemented bans on landfill disposal of turbine parts, intensifying the need for sustainable solutions. In 2021, Siemens Gamesa introduced the “world’s first” recyclable wind turbine blades, which can be processed at the end of their lifespan. Despite advancements, Beauson notes that there is currently insufficient waste volume to support large-scale recycling operations.
Krieger and his team at Blade-Made hope that repurposing initiatives like Nestle can bridge this gap. By requiring less specialized equipment than traditional recycling methods, these projects offer accessible and practical alternatives. Krieger calls for increased transparency from turbine manufacturers, advocating for more open-source data on material composition and designs to facilitate repurposing efforts.
As the wind power industry looks to expand its sustainable practices, Blade-Made’s latest project aims to convert turbine blades into sound barriers for highways. This innovation utilizes the blades in their entirety, reducing energy consumption in the process. A prototype is currently being tested in North-Brabant, Netherlands.
The response to Nestle has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Krieger, as the company prepares to produce its first batch of around ten micro homes. The continued exploration of potential uses for wind turbine parts will help convince stakeholders of the viability of such repurposing solutions. As Krieger succinctly puts it, “The easier it will be to convince people, clients and wind farm owners that it is also an option for them.”
