More steel is being used in the wind energy industry than in shipbuilding – it’s expensive and the production of steel is carbon intensive. Enter the timber wind turbine tower.
According to German company TimberTower GmbH, a 100m high tower made from wood can save approximately 300 tons of sheet steel. Additionally, emissions generated in the manufacture of the towers are offset by the wood itself, which acts as a carbon sink.
The company says wood turbine towers also offer logistical advantages. In some places, the height of a tower is governed by physical restrictions relating to roads and rules for transporting oversized loads. The TimberTower components can be transported to a site in shipping containers and the system allows for towers of up to 200 metres high to be constructed.
Wow. This is a very cool! Would love to see these innovative turbines create greater demand for America’s forest products industry!