Sustainable energy has to be what it says. Wind turbines don’t last forever. While up to 94% of the materials used on a wind farm are easily recovered, the recycling of blades is technologically more complex.
DDB Group Melbourne is helping Acciona, a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, to promote its Turbine Made initiative to give wind turbine blades a second life. They have launched the first product, a world-first Turbine Made surfboard, co-designed and developed in collaboration with Aussie pro surfer, Josh Kerr, and his team at Draft Surf. The unveiling of the project was broadcast on Seven Network’s Sunrise and has already gained cultural traction across the globe with features on publications such as swellnet and SURFER Magazine.
To create the surfboard, ACCIONA took the retired fibreglass turbine blade and transformed it into the Turbine Made particulate. The team at Draft Surf then used its own processing techniques to integrate the particulate into a range of beautifully crafted, high performance surfboards.
DDB Group Melbourne executive creative director, Giles Watson, commented, “Surfers have an unbreakable bond with the environment, so creating a board from recycled turbine blades helps inspire the next generation of environmentalists. Beyond being bloody cool, this project proves that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand—opening the door for a wave of new possibilities with Turbine Made.”
Caroline Pinter, general manager brand & marketing, ACCIONA, added, “ACCIONA has long been connected to the surfing community. At our first wind farm in Navarra, Spain, local surfboard shapers helped repair turbine blades because of their expertise in fibreglass. This surfboard continues that shared history and reinforces our commitment to making the circular economy a reality.”
ACCIONA’s Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm provided the perfect backdrop for the first test flight of the Whatever Surfboard.
Josh Kerr commented, “The conditions at Cathedral Rocks pushed the surfboards to their limits and they held up beautifully and performed great. The Turbine Made particulate is extremely durable and lightweight, making it ideal to use in our performance surfboards.”
The surfboard is just the beginning of an ongoing initiative that will see hundreds of businesses and individuals make their products more sustainable by using the recycled wind turbine material.
Media, influencers and the public were able to try the Turbine Made surfboard in action for themselves at an event held at URBNSURF in Sydney last week, and the surfboard is supported via an integrated campaign and a range of apparel featuring key art created by illustrator, Jake Foreman.
ACCIONA is currently seeking new partnerships to develop the next range of Turbine Made products. Interest can be submitted at acciona.com.au/turbine-made
Credits:
Client: ACCIONA Energía
Agency: DDB Group Melbourne
PR: Mango Communications
Illustrator: Jake Foreman @ Jacky Winter
Production: DDB’s Maker Studios & Eyre films
Photographer: Hayden Richards
Sound: Bang Bang
