Swedish design and engineering company Modvion has built a wooden wind turbine tower outside Gothenburg.
The carbon neutral 30 metre-high structure, installed on Bjorko island, will be used for research by the Swedish Wind Power Technology Centre at Chalmers.
The first wooden towers based on the technology will enter production from 2022.
Modvion has signed declarations of intent with Varberg Energi for a wooden tower that is 110 metres and with Rabbalshede Kraft for 10 towers, which will stand at least 150 metres high when constructed.
Modvion chief executive Otto Lundman said: “This is a major breakthrough that paves the way for the next generation of wind turbines.
“Laminated wood is stronger than steel at the same weight and by building in modules, the wind turbines can be taller. By building in wood, we also reduce carbon dioxide emissions in manufacturing and instead store carbon dioxide in the design.”
Modvion built the tower with the support of Moelven at a gluewood factory in Toreboda.
The lightness of the wood and the tower’s modular concept allow for sections of the structure to be transported on public roads.
“Wood has fantastic properties and we need to build much more in wood if we are to meet climate goals. For us, it is hugely inspiring to participate in this pilot project where we have been able to use renewable wood in a design for the production of renewable energy,” said Moelven Toreboda chief executive Johan Ahlen.
The wind towers can be built at a “significantly lower cost” than steel, reducing the cost of wind-generated electricity, said Modvion.
Swedish Wind Power Technology Centre at Chalmers renewable power generation assistant Ola Carlson said: “Wind power is expected to be the EU’s largest power source as early as 2027.
“With wooden wind towers we get even more climate-smarter renewable electricity to face the climate crisis.”