Finland is attempting to produce perfect energy in the form of a colorful waterlily. This floating device has been created using repurposed wind turbine blades. Although the land of lakes is somewhat experimenting with the waterlily device, the petal-like structure seems to work in a surprising way. Created by the Finnish startup company, Reverlast, the colorful waterlily is producing energy while addressing a core concern of what to do with waste from aging infrastructure. While renewable energy is often looked at and scrutinized, the aging and redundant infrastructure is not taken care of in the slightest.
Eliminating wind turbine waste
What Reverlast is doing is eliminating the waste from aged wind turbines. While wind turbines remain central to the clean energy game, the fiberglass blades that remain from powerful wind turbines are impossible to recycle. More commonly, these fiberglass blades are either crushed or burnt in a rather carbon-intensive process. If left unattended, old fiberglass blades could take years to break down.
The company, Reverlast, was founded by alumni from Aalto University in Finland. These enthusiastic alumni considered possibilities other than simply destroying the blades. Instead, Reverlast focused on making use of the more archaic blades. The process of reuse entailed cutting the blades and sealing them to ensure they were watertight.
These blades were then converted into floating pontoons that are durable and prevent the release of 2,6 tons of carbon when each blade is turned into a floating pontoon. Reverlast is showing how vital recycling is in the clean energy game.
How does the floating waterlily work?
The structure of the floating waterlily makes it so effective. Since wind turbines are generally built to endure different weather conditions, the lightweight fiberglass is strong. Reverlast focused on utilizing the midsection of each blade, which was about 6cm thick. These midsections went towards creating modules. The modules are then filled with polystyrene foam, and at the end of the fiberglass, caps are used for sealing.
The docks look like lily petals floating on a lake; however, docks can be used in swimming pools too. The initial prototype dock was made for Aalto University’s community sauna floats and was created using 300-kg sections from old turbine blades.
The structure created is strong, aesthetically pleasing, and great for water environments. All these docks have been made without the use of plastic or concrete. With Finland finding energy for 20 million years, the focus is surely on Finland now, and this innovation puts Finland on the map.
Innovation and clean energy that extends beyond the norm
What Reverlast achieved was more than an aesthetically pleasing dock that resembles a waterlily. The company looked at recycling while working on clean energy initiatives. The future envisioned by this company is one categorized by floating restaurants and the like.
Reverlast is turning global waste into a solution that enhances sustainability, and the company is making sure that older turbine blades don’t end up in landfills. The company is showing that the waste can result in innovation. Such an innovation could lead to more companies recycling and perhaps utilizing the remains from solar panels as well.
The good news is that the floating sauna project in Finland will open its doors this year, showcasing an innovation that started from garbage. Cleaner energy is not only linked to creating wind turbines, but with what we do with the remains from older turbines.
Reverlast is making a lasting impression considering cleaner production. The company is expanding the lifespan of parts from older wind turbines. Finland has created colorful waterlily docks that encourage sustainability down to the very core without compromising the environment in any way. The good news is that Reverlast has created a sustainable solution that actually floats, and it may float the boats of many other sustainable companies, too. With energy floating on water stealing the show, the world is surely turning its focus to all that floats.
