In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, a Swedish start-up called Modvion has successfully built the world’s tallest wooden wind turbine tower. Standing at 150m (492ft) with a 2-megawatt generator on top, this wooden turbine is set to revolutionize the wind power industry. Unlike its steel counterparts, the wooden turbine tower is made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and held together by glue. This innovative design allows for taller and more easily assembled turbines, opening up new possibilities for wind energy generation.
The use of wood in wind power holds great potential, according to Otto Lundman, the CEO of Modvion. By utilizing wood and glue instead of steel, towers can be built in smaller, transportable modules. This not only facilitates the construction process but also enables the development of taller turbines that can capture stronger winds. The current limitations of steel towers, which require large cylindrical structures to support the turbines, pose logistical challenges in transportation. With the use of wood, these challenges can be overcome, allowing for the construction of taller and more efficient turbines.
The wooden turbine tower constructed by Modvion consists of 144 layers of laminated veneer lumber. The variation in the grain of each layer ensures the strength and flexibility of the tower. This innovative design, combined with the lightweight nature of wood, allows for the construction of taller turbines using fewer materials. The tower’s modular construction further enhances its flexibility, making it easier to transport and assemble in challenging locations.
While some industry experts believe that the modular system of wooden towers may require more trucks, people, and time for installation, the potential benefits outweigh these concerns. Siemens Gamesa, one of the largest turbine manufacturers, views wooden towers as a complementary solution to steel towers. They are committed to reducing the carbon footprint of their steel towers while recognizing the advantages that wooden towers offer in terms of sustainability and transportation.
The sustainability aspect of wooden wind turbine towers is a significant driver for their adoption. Unlike steel towers, which involve high CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process, wood sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The harvested trees store the carbon, making wooden towers carbon negative. Modvion’s use of sustainably farmed spruce trees in their tower further contributes to the environmental benefits of wood-based wind turbines.
Renewable energy giant Vestas has recognized the potential of wooden towers and invested in Modvion. They see tremendous prospects for taller turbines, particularly wooden ones, in addressing transportation bottlenecks and providing sustainable solutions. While offshore wind projects may not experience the same modular transport benefits, the consideration of wooden towers as an alternative technology to steel is gaining traction in the wind power industry.
Looking towards the future, Modvion plans to construct even taller wooden turbines and aims to establish a facility capable of producing 100 wooden modular turbines annually by 2027. With the industry currently putting up 20,000 turbines annually, Modvion envisions that 10% of these turbines, or approximately 2,000, will be wooden within a decade.
The world’s tallest wooden wind turbine represents a significant milestone in renewable energy. By harnessing the power of wood for wind turbines, the industry can not only reduce its carbon footprint but also overcome logistical challenges and unlock new opportunities for efficient and sustainable wind power generation. The success of Modvion’s wooden turbine tower paves the way for a greener future in the renewable energy sector.
