# Generate Clean Energy Profitably With Sustainable Wind Turbines

Wind energy is a clean, emission-free power source with minimal environmental impact. Unlike other energy sources, wind turbines don't emit pollutants or require water for cooling, making them an environmentally friendly choice for electricity generation.

## What is a wind energy system?

A wind [energy system ](https://www.3ds.com/industries/infrastructure-energy-materials/scale-energy-innovation)converts wind's kinetic energy into electricity using wind turbines. The turbines' rotating blades drive a generator to produce power, offering a renewable and clean energy source. These systems are crucial for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change.

## How can we make wind turbines more sustainable?

With **wind power** fronting the world’s **renewable energy** race, how quickly can you scale up **sustainable wind turbines**?

The International Renewable Energy Agency expects millions of tons of old turbine blades by 2050. Due to lack of commercially viable recycling options, blades are being reused where lifetime and quality permit.

As such, the shift to **clean energy** is picking up the pace: World leaders pledge to boost investments in **renewable energy** and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by 2030; and across China, the EU and US, **wind power** is gaining traction as the largest renewable source of energy.

Faced with a competitive market and strict environmental regulations, energy companies are moving away from expensive physical prototypes that fuel the growth of industrial waste. They are instead turning to modeling and simulation technology to accelerate cost-effective, **sustainable wind turbine** innovation — optimized for rapid deployment and extended lifecycle.

## Key Benefits of Wind Energy System

## Renewable and Sustainable

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-10/icon-268-operations-synchro.png)

## Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-10/icon-058-industries.png)

## Energy Independence

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-10/icon-173b-implement_0.png)

## Economic Advantages

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-10/icon-220-competitive-technology.png)

## Low Operating Costs

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-10/icon-074-reduce-cost.png)

## (Anonymized Cust. Story CCM1- Key Figure) How One Industry Leader Optimizes Wind Turbines Design to Minimize Waste

Discover how Dassault Systèmes' CATIA solution helped this global supplier minimize waste, shrink its carbon footprint and take meaningful steps toward a decarbonized future.

## 4%

reduction of fiberglass per wind turbine blade produced

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-02/icon-037-lighten.png)

## 1.358tCO2e

Avoided emission per onshore wind turbine blade produced

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-02/footprint_0.png)

[Read success story](/sustainability/measurable-sustainability-benefits/circularity-every-turn-blade)

## (Anonymized Cust. Story CCM1- Key Figure) Optimizing Wind Turbine Design to Minimize Waste

Achievements:

**4%** reduction in fiberglass used per wind turbine blade produced.
**1.358tCO2e** emissions avoided per onshore wind turbine blade produced.

[Wind Turbines](/media/20244)

[  Read success story     ](/sustainability/measurable-sustainability-benefits/circularity-every-turn-blade)

## Channel the Power of the Wind

[(Channel the Power of the Wind - Thumbnail)](/media/4363)

**Wind turbines** are subjected to huge forces and the larger they are, the more susceptible their blades are to bending and twisting. Noise is also a concern as regulations tighten; turbines must be designed not only to be effective but also to be quiet. Could modeling and simulation address these concerns? The answer is [yes](https://discover.3ds.com/wind-turbine-simulation-for-sustainable-energy).

"Before, we only needed to consider small linear deformation of the rotor blades during simulation. This is no longer the case with these longer blades. Simulating non-linear deformation, especially bend-twist coupling, is now a prerequisite for accurate load prediction,” highlights Steve Mulski, Industry Process Expert and Wind Energy Executive at Dassault Systèmes.

A Spanish leader in renewable energy is paving the way in ensuring their [offshore turbines](https://www.3ds.com/sustainability/energy-use/wind-farms) are not only designed to withstand fatigue damage, but engineered to adapt to operating conditions. **Virtual twin technology** is the key. Through high-fidelity modeling and simulation, companies can:

- Assess the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of the blade and tip
- Use different levels of fidelity to simulate a drive train with different variants
- Accurately calculate natural frequencies to avoid critical resonances and better predict the downtime of bearing failure

 As turbine size increases, not only do we have to consider the extra loading from the additional weight, but even more significantly, the changing dynamic loading resulting from the elastic deformation of the components.

**Steve Mulski**

Industry Process Expert & Wind Energy Executive, Dassault Systèmes

 ![Steve Mulski - Profile picture > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2022-02/steve-mulski-profile-picture-80x80.jpg)

## Innovate to Optimize Energy Payback

[(Innovate to Optimize Energy Payback - Banner)](/media/4364)

Skeptics of **wind energy** often highlight the energy consumed and **material waste** incurred during the manufacturing of **wind turbines** as some of wind energy's drawbacks — they’re not wrong. In reality, components and raw materials make up more than 80% of the **carbon footprint** of the turbine manufacturing process.

While wind turbines are 80 to 90% recyclable, the blades have poor recyclability. Due to lack of commercially viable recycling options, composite blades often end up buried in landfills — but this is slowly changing. Turbine manufacturer VESTAS is riding the wind in their sails by researching composite recycling technologies to achieve zero-waste turbines by 2040. (Source: [Vestas Annual report 2020](https://mb.cision.com/Main/18886/3283501/1370562.pdf))

So the question is, how can you minimize your turbine’s environmental impact while protecting product margins and not compromising quality? According to a recent [FT Focus report](https://www.3ds.com/sustainability/ft-report-reinforces-sustainable-innovation), at least **40% of companies** are in the process of embedding **circular design principles** into the product development lifecycle.

## (Icons - Innovate to Optimize Energy Payback)Core Capabilities for Scaling Sustainable Innovation

To stay ahead and scale up sustainable innovation, companies need to be equipped with these core capabilities:

## Carbon footprint

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2020-12/icon-347-factory-check.png)

## Agility

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-01/icon-181-operations.png)

## Optimization

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2023-09/icon-225-atom.png)

## Extend the Lifespan of Turbines

[(Extend the Lifespan of Turbines - Banner)](/media/4365)

When giant wind turbines break down, they need to be fixed fast. Without full visibility, preventive maintenance is not likely to allow a turbine to achieve the full 25 years of operation as promised.

A single integrated platform provides the digital continuity needed to optimize the performance of components and equipment after assembly. By integrating with artificial intelligence and [IoT sensors on site](https://youtu.be/poAcB6nDVhY) to create a feedback loop, companies gain a clearer understanding of their working turbines.

"During its lifecycle, **virtual twin technology** allows manufacturers to re-evaluate the turbine's maintenance schedule by simulating the effectiveness of the turbine's current condition against possible scenarios," says Jean-Yves Tresson, Senior Manager Sales and Consultant at Dassault Systèmes.

## Virtualize Solutions for a Power-Hungry World

Integrated applications and data are essential to powering **sustainable wind turbines** — and this is where the **3D**EXPERIENCE® platform and Dassault Systèmes' solutions can add real value and bring about significant cost savings.

By bringing together multidisciplinary teams right from the beginning, the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform enables energy companies to:

- Deliver projects on-time and on-cost while meeting sustainability and compliance objectives
- Incorporate **eco-designs** into the lifecycle, thus reducing **energy payback time** for offshore and onshore turbines
- Evaluate the effectiveness of materials used to ensure turbines are designed for stability as much as performance and strength

The race is on to develop cost-efficient wind farms that can become an almost boundless source of emission-free electricity. With continued improvements in wind forecasting, electrical grid infrastructure and **energy storage**, wind power might blow away all our energy problems.

## Reset and Reimagine Sustainable Wind Turbines

Read our ebook and learn how energy innovators are optimizing onshore and offshore wind turbines with high-fidelity modeling and simulation.

[(Banner SAO 04 Ebook gated asset)](/media/4357)

[   Download Now     ](/brick/16873)

## Wind Turbine Engineering

Simulate and optimize complete wind turbine systems, subsystems and individual components with automated workflows

[SIMULIA Wind Turbine Engineering - Dassault Systèmes](/media/4887)

[  Discover more     ](/products/simulia/simpack/wind)

## FAQ About Wind Renewable Energy

## How does wind turbines/energy actually work?

Wind turbines work by converting the **kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy**. As wind blows, it turns the turbine blades, which are connected to a rotor. The rotor then spins a generator, producing electricity. This electricity can be used directly, stored, or fed into the power grid. The entire process is a clean, renewable way to generate power without relying on fossil fuels, making it a key technology in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

## What are the two main types of wind turbines?

Wind turbines are primarily classified into two types:

1. **Horizontal-Axis Turbines:** These are the most common type, typically featuring three blades that face into the wind by pivoting at the top of the tower. They are what most people visualize when thinking of wind turbines.
2. **Vertical-Axis Turbines:** These turbines, including the Darrieus model, operate omnidirectionally, meaning they don't need to be adjusted to face the wind. They come in various designs, such as the eggbeater-style.

## What are 15 Wind energy facts?

15 Fast Facts about Wind Power:

1. Wind turbines consist of around 8,000 parts.
2. Modern wind turbine towers can reach up to 150m in height.
3. Wind turbine blades can be approximately 90 meters long.
4. Wind farms generate local employment opportunities.
5. Wind power can support farmers and their businesses.
6. The cost of wind power production has dropped by an estimated 90% since the 1980s.
7. The Salmon Beach Wind Farm near Esperance was Australia's first wind farm.
8. [Offshore wind turbines energy](https://www.3ds.com/industries/infrastructure-energy-materials/energy-transition/cultivate-offshore-wind-energy) are being used globally.
9. Private wind turbines could become more common in the future.
10. Wind turbines have safety mechanisms to withstand high wind speeds.
11. Airborne wind generation is being explored as an alternative to wind turbines.
12. Wind turbines emit sound, but they are placed at a distance to comply with noise regulations.
13. Wind turbines typically operate for around 20 years.
14. Decommissioned wind turbine components can be repurposed or recycled.
15. Wind power can be generated at any time, unlike solar energy.

## How long is wind energy sustainable?

[Wind energy is one of the most sustainable sources of energy available](https://www.3ds.com/industries/infrastructure-energy-materials/energy-transition). When harnessed correctly, it can provide a clean, renewable energy source that is not only cost-effective but also has a minimal impact on the environment. It is estimated that wind energy can provide enough electricity to power the entire world for up to two centuries. However, how long wind energy is sustainable depends on how it is used and managed.

## What energy does a wind farm use?

Even a gentle breeze sets the blades in motion, generating kinetic energy [in offshore wind farms](https://www.3ds.com/sustainability/energy-use/wind-farms). As the blades rotate, they drive the shaft in the nacelle, which powers a generator to convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy.

## (Related content)Related Content

## Decarbonization

Decarbonization aims at reducing emissions throughout the product and service’s life cycle and across the full value chain.

[Learn more on Decarbonization](/sustainability/decarbonization)

## Boost Sustainable Mobility in the Automotive Industry

See how the Virtual Twin strategy enables automotive innovators to develop high-performance, zero-emission, recyclable vehicles.

[Learn More on Sustainable Mobility](/industries/transportation-mobility/automotive-industry-sustainability)

## Enabling the low-carbon transition of the Transportation Sector

Reducing carbon emissions is critical to combat climate change, and the integration of low-carbon energy solutions is key to driving sustainability in product development, manufacturing and usage.

[Discover Low-Carbon Solutions](/sustainability/decarbonization/low-carbon-strategy)

## Transportation & Mobility

Driving vehicle innovation toward the mobility of the future.

[Discover our solutions](https://www.3ds.com/industries/transportation-mobility)

## Reset and Reimagine Sustainable Wind Turbines

[Download](/brick/16873)

 ![Profitable and Sustainable Wind Turbines > Renewable Energy > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2022-02/sao4-sustainable-wind-turbines-hero-banner-1900x650.jpg)

[background-SAO-Energy-Use-Sustainable-Wind-Turbines](/media/4358)

Sustainable Wind Turbines