When we talk about transitioning to green energy, it’s crucial to consider the sustainability of the infrastructure we build. Is the process of creating renewable energy sources as clean and green as the energy they produce?
Take wind energy, for example. The average onshore wind turbine has a capacity of around 4 megawatts and requires approximately 480 metric tonnes of steel for its tower. Producing just one tonne of steel can release up to two tonnes of carbon dioxide. Similarly, manufacturing a tonne of cement—the main ingredient in concrete used for the tower’s base—can emit an equal amount of CO2.
Engineers in Sweden believe they have a solution to reduce these emissions by using one of nature’s oldest and most renewable materials: wood.
Meet the team behind Modvion, a Swedish company pioneering the construction of wind turbine towers made almost entirely out of wood. Their “Wind of Change” tower is not only eco-friendly but also stands as one of the tallest wooden structures in the world.
David Olivegren, concept engineer and co-founder of Modvion, shared that the inspiration came while building a boat. “We realized the potential of wood as a strong, sustainable material,” he said. “If it can withstand the forces at sea, why not harness its strength for wind turbines?”
Modvion’s other co-founder and CEO, Otto Lundman, explained how they use wood from sustainably harvested forests to create Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). This material is then crafted into modular towers that are lighter and easier to transport than their steel counterparts. “LVL allows us to build towers that are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective and efficient to assemble,” Lundman noted.
The company’s CFO, Maria-Lina Hedlund, discussed Modvion’s plans to break into the competitive green energy market. “We’re proving that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand,” she said. “Our wooden towers can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of wind energy infrastructure, making renewable energy even greener.”
As the world seeks to transition to cleaner energy sources, innovations like Modvion’s wooden wind turbine towers highlight the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of renewable energy projects. By rethinking traditional materials and embracing sustainable alternatives, we can build a greener future from the ground up.
