Cradle to Gate + EOL
Identity ID
7eafdaf7-2a58-4b63-949d-23154d43590f
Materials
Associated ID
14523387-66bd-4695-8605-631008d8a5cc
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
The product represents the production and end-of-life treatment of a single offshore wind turbine unit with a rated power >=3, <4 MW. The main components of the wind turbine include the tower, blades, hub, nacelle (nacelle cover and equipment and parts inside the nacelle), and box substation. It is assumed that all products are manufactured and assembled at wind power plants. In this phase, the materials consumed include fiberglass, epoxy resin, steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper, rubber, etc., and energy consumption includes electricity, natural gas, etc. In the recycling and disposal phase, it is assumed that metal materials such as steel, iron, aluminum, and copper, as well as wood in wind turbine components (including the tower), have a 90% recycling rate, while resin, glass fiber, plastics, and rubber are incinerated. Other materials are disposed of via landfill. The data are primarily derived from public literature and empirical values, reflecting raw material consumption, energy use, and related emissions during the manufacturing process of wind turbines in multiple offshore wind projects and upstream manufacturing plants in China.
Activity Description
The process boundary includes raw material preparation, production, as well as demolition, recycling, and disposal phases, but excludes the service use phase.
Process Description
A single offshore wind turbine with a rated power ≥3, <4 MW, including production and end-of-life recycling, used for offshore wind power generation.
Time period
2017
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Industry average data is formed based on data from multiple public sources.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The main components of the wind turbine include the tower, blades, hub, nacelle (nacelle cover and equipment and parts inside the nacelle), and box substation. It is assumed that all products are manufactured and assembled at wind farms. During this stage, the materials consumed include fiberglass, epoxy resin, PVC, balsa wood, structural adhesives, steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper, etc., while the main energy consumption is electricity. In the recycling and disposal phase, it is assumed that metal materials such as steel, iron, aluminum, and copper, as well as wood in wind turbine components (including the tower), have a 90% recycling rate, while resin, glass fiber, plastics, and rubber are incinerated. Other materials are disposed of via landfill.