Wind Turbine Foundation Using Recycled Blade Anchor Sections

Solution Overview

Problem

The construction of land-based and marine foundations, particularly for wind turbines, is hindered by high material and implementation costs, and there is a need for sustainable, durable solutions that minimize environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

The use of composite materials, including recycled wind turbine blades or sections, embedded in a matrix, with steel structures where necessary, to form foundations that include anchors, transverse reinforcements, and a core, optionally with concrete or ballast, to create stable and cost-effective foundations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional reinforced concrete with steel components is used, then structural strength and durability are ensured, but manufacturing costs and implementation costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles discarded wind turbine blades by integrating them into new foundation structures. Used blades are cut into sections and reused as structural components in monopile foundations, transitioning from waste to valuable building material and reducing both costs and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining blade sections with concrete in monopile foundations. The hybrid design leverages the tensile strength of composite materials and the compressive strength of concrete, achieving cost-effective structural performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If more steel structures and reinforcements are used, then foundation stability and resistance to environmental conditions improve, but material costs and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoundation stabilityVSAvoidmaterial quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles discarded wind turbine blades by integrating them into new foundation structures. Used blades are cut into sections and reused as structural components in monopile foundations, transitioning from waste to valuable building material and reducing both costs and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes material parameters by substituting steel reinforcement with blade sections in specific structural roles. The design optimizes the distribution and dimensions of blade components to achieve required mechanical properties while reducing overall material quantity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If conventional construction materials are used, then structural requirements are met, but environmental impact increases and sustainability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural requirementVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles discarded wind turbine blades by integrating them into new foundation structures. Used blades are cut into sections and reused as structural components in monopile foundations, transitioning from waste to valuable building material and reducing both costs and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful environmental factor of blade waste into a beneficial resource. Discarded blades that would otherwise be disposed of are transformed into valuable structural components, turning an environmental problem into a sustainability solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4656805A1Foundations

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a foundation 1, in particular for the mast 21 of a wind turbine 2 comprising an anchor 9 embedded in concrete and formed of a core 91 and sections 92 of used wind turbine blades extending radially from this core.