We have written about how modern wind turbines function through the use of magnets, but what happens when these turbines need updates? On a fairly regular basis, aging turbines need completely new rotors, blades, and generators, which can contain hundreds of pounds of rare-earth metals. As less than 1% of rare earths are recycled globally, they usually just end up in a landfill. What a wasted opportunity! 

The Importance of Rare Earth Magnets

Despite their use in clean energy efforts, including electric motors and wind turbine generators, rare magnets are anything but green to acquire. Mining involves significant landscape upheaval and the use of harsh chemicals. Essentially, these impacts, coupled with the growing global demand for and reliance on rare-earth minerals, mean that we need to do everything possible to determine better ways to recycle rare earths.

Preventing a Future Dip in Rare-earth Supply

To prevent or at least get ahead of a serious supply crunch in the future, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced 20 winners of its “Wind Turbines Materials Recycling Prize.” This 5.1 million dollar prize — split up across winning groups — is meant to motivate the creation of cost-effective, sustainable solutions, with the most promising teams potentially winning an additional half million in cash, as well as a $100,000 voucher from a DOE national lab.  

 

Of the 20 teams who won prize money, four are entirely focused on magnet recycling, chosen based on their novel and promising solutions. Tyler Christoffel, technology manager at the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office says, “What this prize really helps to do is advance some of these recycling technologies that can offer a lower-emissions, lower-resources use [path] to a magnet.”

 

While the DOE recognizes the competition and prize money won’t create a brand-new recycling industry, they do hope it kick-starts an entirely new suite of technologies that could be the first step toward commercial rare-earth magnet recycling from wind turbines. 

Apex Magnets

At Apex Magnet, we admire innovation, whether it’s large scale or within the context of individual magnetic projects. Whether you want to know the latest magnet news and how it might impact your business, or you’re looking for ways you can use magnets in your office to streamline the workflow, we have everything you need on our blog.