Nearly 300-foot-tall wind turbine on North Shore of Massachusetts dismantled after more than 15 years – CBS News

Report on the Decommissioning of the Newburyport Wind Turbine and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Executive Summary

A 292-foot wind turbine, operational for over 15 years in Newburyport, Massachusetts, was decommissioned. The turbine, owned by Mark Richey Woodworking, was a significant contributor to local renewable energy generation, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its removal, necessitated by the unavailability of replacement parts, highlights critical challenges in the lifecycle management of sustainable infrastructure. The company remains committed to environmental stewardship, transitioning towards other renewable sources and adopting circular economy principles for the turbine’s components.

Alignment with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The turbine was a testament to the private sector’s role in advancing SDG 7. For 15 years, it provided a consistent source of clean energy.

• Energy Generation: The turbine produced enough electricity to power approximately 150 American homes.
• Corporate Sustainability: It supplied 60% of the manufacturing facility’s power, demonstrating a commitment to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The company’s energy portfolio also includes solar and biomass systems.
• Future Commitment: The plan to repurpose the site’s electrical infrastructure for a new solar canopy ensures a continued contribution to renewable energy generation, reinforcing the principles of SDG 7.

Challenges to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The decommissioning underscores the challenges associated with maintaining sustainable and resilient infrastructure, a key target of SDG 9.

1. Supply Chain and Maintenance: The primary reason for the turbine’s removal was the inability to source replacement parts, indicating a vulnerability in the long-term maintenance and supply chain for renewable energy technologies.
2. Infrastructure Lifecycle: This case illustrates the importance of planning for the entire lifecycle of green infrastructure, from installation and operation to repair, decommissioning, and replacement.

Commitment to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Mark Richey Woodworking’s handling of the decommissioned turbine reflects a strong commitment to the principles of a circular economy, central to SDG 12.

• Recycling: The metal from the turbine structure is designated for recycling, preventing waste and promoting the reuse of valuable materials.
• Repurposing: The existing electrical infrastructure will be repurposed for a future solar project, maximizing the value of the initial investment and minimizing waste.

Impact on SDG 11 and SDG 13: Sustainable Communities and Climate Action

The turbine had a notable impact on the local community and broader climate goals.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The turbine served as a local landmark and an educational resource. Owner Mark Richey noted that “countless local schoolchildren have visited the turbine and learned about green energy,” fostering community awareness and engagement in sustainability.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By generating clean power for over a decade, the turbine played a direct role in climate change mitigation by displacing energy that would have otherwise been produced by fossil fuels.

Operational and Environmental Considerations

A minor operational issue was reported in January when the turbine leaked approximately 1.5 gallons of hydraulic oil. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection classified this as a “less-than-reportable quantity.” This incident, while minor, highlights the need for diligent monitoring and maintenance of energy infrastructure to ensure environmental safety.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • The article’s central theme is a wind turbine, a key technology for clean energy generation. It discusses its contribution to powering a business and local homes, its operational challenges, and the company’s continued commitment to renewable energy sources like solar and biomass.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • The article deals with a piece of industrial infrastructure (the wind turbine) that supported a manufacturing business. Its failure due to the unavailability of spare parts highlights challenges in maintaining sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The plan to repurpose its electrical components for a solar canopy shows innovation in adapting infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • The turbine was a long-standing part of the Newburyport community. The article mentions a negative environmental impact on the community when it leaked hydraulic oil onto a nearby apartment building and cars. This relates directly to the environmental quality and safety within a community.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • This SDG is relevant because the article discusses the end-of-life management of a large industrial product. The inability to repair the turbine raises questions about sustainable production and maintenance cycles. However, the company’s decision to recycle the metal and repurpose other parts demonstrates responsible waste management.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
     • The article states the turbine provided 60% of the power for the company’s facility and generated enough electricity for 150 homes, directly contributing to the share of renewable energy. The company’s use of solar and biomass further supports this target.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
     • The woodworking company’s initial installation of the turbine in 2009 was an adoption of clean technology. The failure highlights challenges in making such infrastructure sustainable over the long term. The plan to recycle the metal and repurpose the electrical infrastructure for a solar canopy aligns with resource efficiency and continued use of clean technologies.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
     • The incident where the turbine was “leaking hydraulic oil, which was blown onto an apartment building and cars parked nearby” is a direct example of an adverse environmental impact within a community. The decision to recycle the dismantled turbine relates to the proper management of industrial waste.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
     • The article explicitly states, “The metal turbine will be recycled, and the electrical infrastructure will be repurposed to support a future parking lot solar canopy.” This directly addresses the “recycling” and “reuse” (repurposing) components of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

   • Indicator (Implied for 7.2.1 – Renewable energy share): The article provides specific data points that can serve as indicators. It states that the turbine supplied “60% of its power” to the company’s facility and generated enough electricity to “power 150 average American homes.” These are direct measures of renewable energy contribution.

2. For SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Indicator (Qualitative): The article mentions the turbine’s operational lifespan of “more than 15 years” before becoming non-operational due to a lack of parts. This serves as a qualitative indicator of infrastructure resilience and sustainability challenges.

3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Indicator (Implied for 11.6.2 – Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter): While not measuring air quality, the article provides a specific measure of a pollution event: “the amount of oil released was about 1.5 gallons.” This quantifies a negative environmental impact on the local community.

4. For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Indicator (Qualitative for 12.5.1 – National recycling rate): The article provides a direct, project-specific indicator of recycling and reuse. The statements “The metal turbine will be recycled” and “the electrical infrastructure will be repurposed” are clear indicators of actions taken to reduce waste at the end of a product’s life.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: cbsnews.com