Together with the Institute for Energy and Circular Economy at the Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the University of Bremen, brands & values is part of the joint research project "Recycling network RecycleWind - resilient and self-learning
Objective / Service applied
The aim of the "RecycleWind 2.0" project is to design and simulate the application of a self-learning recycling network for the resource-conserving management of material flows for high-quality and, in particular, durable products using the example of wind turbines. As a socio-technical system, it consists of two linked elements: the recycling system and the actor network. In contrast to existing control approaches based on fixed recycling quotas, this system is uses an adaptable concept of self-regulation in which the recycling incentives result from the current framework conditions and actor constellations.
The project intends to contribute to:
achieving Germany's goal of a more resource-efficient economy faster,
product responsibility for durable products can also be enforced efficiently over the entire life cycle,
actors in the material flow systems act more responsibly,
environmental relevance of products can be assessed over their entire life cycle and they can also be handled responsibly at the the end of their life,
new knowledge-based methods are used in complex material flow systems and services are derived and developed from them.
The project focuses on research and development of scientifically validated methods of self-control in material flow systems, simulation of possible applications and concept development of suitable services for this novel approach of such a network.
Solution / Project results
The expected results of the project are as follows:
The creation of an EPD format (Environmental Product Declaration) using the example of rotor blades, which takes into account the recyclability of the products (EPD-plus).
Material flow models for the description and evaluation of process chains and material flows over the entire life cycle on the basis of a central product database
Agent-based modelling to depict the options for action and their effects, considering the interests of the actors in relation to the target formulation of the recycling network
Adaptation and concretisation of the structure developed in the previous project for a recycling network within the framework of a possible RecycleWind quality association.
Advantages over previous systems are seen as follows:
creation of a product declaration for operators and recyclers that is useful and necessary for recycling
Building and maintaining a network of actors along the process chains and the product life cycle instead of isolated actors
an internally self-regulating system instead of external requirements from outside
a system that can react flexibly to changes in boundary conditions instead of a system based on rigid framework conditions
technical and monetary evaluation of the recyclability of the products as early as the approval stage, instead of an exclusive consideration of the operating characteristics of the plants and components
reliable and transparent business bases for producers, wind farm operators and the reprocessing or recycling industry through the accompanying service instead of unregulated case-by-case procedures
development of a platform for product stewardship for long-life products with autonomous targets for the creation of closed loops and recycling quotas
Further information
Further information on the research project is available on the project website at: http://www.recyclewind.hs-bremen.de/