Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

This course prepares you to manage the end of life of wind turbine blades, boat hulls and other composite materials used in the maritime sector. You will study their composition, dismantling and logistics options, mechanical, thermal and chemical recycling technologies, reuse in new products and more recyclable blade designs. You will also analyze the circular economy framework, the costs and the maturity of each technology.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course?

This short course gives you a complete view of the end of life of composites in wind energy and the nautical sector. You will learn about glass and carbon fibers, thermoset resins and the structure of blades and hulls, how wind turbines are decommissioned and boats are broken up, how blades are cut, transported and stored safely, and how mechanical recycling, cement kiln co-processing, pyrolysis and solvolysis compare. You will also explore structural reuse of blades, new products and markets for recovered materials, recyclable resins, thermoplastic blades, waste regulations and life cycle assessment.

What sets this course apart: a fast-growing challenge, with thousands of blades and boats reaching the end of their service life; a complete view from dismantling to new product; coverage of every route, from mechanical, thermal and chemical recycling to reuse; a business focus on costs, markets and circular models; and a practical case in which you draw up an end-of-life plan for a batch of blades or hulls.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • A growing challenge: thousands of blades and boats reaching the end of their service life.
  • Complete view: from dismantling to new product.
  • Every technology: mechanical, thermal, chemical and reuse.
  • Business focus: costs, markets and circular models.
  • Ecodesign: recyclable resins and thermoplastic blades.
  • Practical case: end-of-life plan for a batch of blades or hulls.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Composites in energy and the nautical sector

  • 1.1. Glass and carbon fibers
  • 1.2. Thermoset resins
  • 1.3. Structure of a wind turbine blade
  • 1.4. Boat hulls and decks
  • 1.5. Expected waste volumes
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Dismantling and logistics

  • 2.1. Decommissioning wind turbines
  • 2.2. Cutting and sectioning blades
  • 2.3. Breaking up boats
  • 2.4. Transport and storage
  • 2.5. Health and safety
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Recycling technologies

  • 3.1. Mechanical recycling
  • 3.2. Co-processing in cement kilns
  • 3.3. Pyrolysis
  • 3.4. Solvolysis and chemical routes
  • 3.5. Comparing technologies
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Reuse and new products

  • 4.1. Structural reuse of blades
  • 4.2. Street furniture and footbridges
  • 4.3. Construction materials
  • 4.4. New composites with recovered fiber
  • 4.5. Markets for recycled materials
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Circular economy and ecodesign

  • 5.1. Recyclable resins
  • 5.2. Thermoplastics for blades
  • 5.3. Waste regulations
  • 5.4. Life cycle assessment
  • 5.5. Practical case: end-of-life plan for blades or hulls
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

01Describe the composition of composites.
02Plan the end of life of blades and hulls.
03Compare recycling technologies.
04Identify applications for recovered materials.
05Apply ecodesign principles.
06Assess economic and regulatory viability.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

01Decommissioning technicianend-of-life management in wind farms.
02Industrial waste managerrecovery of composites.
03Circular economy techniciandesign of circular solutions in industry.
04Materials techniciandevelopment of products with recycled material.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Wind Turbine Blade and Marine Composites Recycling Course

Yes, through several routes, although they differ in maturity and cost; the course compares them.

Yes. Glass-fiber hulls share problems and solutions with wind turbine blades.

A chemical route that dissolves the resin to recover the fibers; it is currently being developed at industrial scale.

Yes, the general waste framework and the regulatory trends in the sector.

You draw up an end-of-life plan for a batch of blades or hulls, with recycling routes and costs.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied practical case. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at wind energy engineers responsible for repowering and decommissioning, nautical professionals managing boats at the end of their life, waste managers looking for new business lines, sustainability technicians working on the circular economy, and materials engineers interested in composites; a background in engineering, environmental sciences or chemistry, or experience in wind energy, the nautical sector or waste management, is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $184 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

Any questions?

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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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