Wind Turbine Turned Tiny Home Sparks Green Innovation

In Europe, where many early wind farms are reaching the end of their lifespans, energy companies are facing a big question: what should be done with aging turbine infrastructure? One innovative answer comes from Sweden, where energy provider “Vattenfall” and Dutch design firm “Superuse Studios” have transformed a decommissioned turbine nacelle, the main housing of the wind turbine, into a fully functional tiny home.

The prototype, made from a Vestas V80 2MW turbine nacelle, includes a bathroom, kitchen, heat pump, solar panels, and insulation that meets Dutch building codes. Though compact at only 10 metres long and three metres wide, it is fully liveable and mobile. With thousands of similar turbines set to be retired in the coming years, the designers see potential to scale the idea, though the logistics of collecting and repurposing large components remain a challenge.

This effort is part of a broader push in Europe to reduce turbine waste. “WindEurope” estimates that up to 60,000 tonnes of blades could be dismantled in the next five years. Other projects are already turning used blades into EV charging canopies, bridges, and public furniture.

So why does this matter for Canada? Although we have yet to face the same volume of decommissioned turbines, we soon will, as Canada has over 6,500 wind turbines in operation, many of them installed over a decade ago. At the same time, interest in tiny homes, off-grid living, and renewable energy is booming across the country. The European example is a reminder that we need to think more about how we build wind energy systems but also about how we retire them.

At Borrum Energy Solutions, we design for that full lifecycle from the start. Our Canadian-made, microgeneration wind turbines and towers are ideal for tiny homes, cottages, and rural properties. Our products are engineered to last for decades with a minimal footprint and no need for large-scale recycling. Instead of having to repurpose industrial systems to meet small-scale needs, we build efficient solutions sized right for everyday Canadians.