Revealing material requirements and environmental impacts of Canadian wind energy development using dynamic material flow analysis

This study created an open-source dynamic material flow analysis (dMFA) model for wind turbines. A case study was conducted using Canadian historical wind turbine construction data alongside future wind energy projections from GCAM (Global Change Analysis Model) and the Canada Energy Regulator. The results indicate that current production levels (virgin + recycled) of rare earth elements (REEs) are insufficient to meet future needs (from 2020 to 2050), with current closed-loop recycling practices projected to fulfill <0.5 % of the demand for neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy). Despite a small contribution from the material circularity perspective, current closed-loop recycling practice can still potentially lead to a cumulative (from 1993 to 2050) reduction of climate change impacts ranging from 2.11 to 2.95 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalent.