# Advances, Progress, and Future Directions of Renewable Wind Energy in Brazil (2000-2025-2050)
## 4 Discussion
### Sustainability Challenges  
The wind energy industry in Brazil has grown exponentially in recent years, consolidating its position as one of the country's main sources of renewable energy. However, this growth brings sustainability challenges that must be addressed to ensure the sector is truly sustainable in the long term. These challenges include (i) the adoption of circular economy principles, (ii) the implementation of battery energy storage systems (BESSs), (iii) improving energy efficiency throughout the value chain, and (iv) overcoming socio-environmental barriers to the introduction of offshore wind energy [41; 42; 43; 44]. Regarding circular economy aspects in the wind industry, one of the greatest challenges facing the wind industry is the lifecycle management of wind turbines, especially concerning the waste generated during turbine manufacturing, operation, and decommissioning. Wind turbine blades, made of composite materials such as fiberglass and resins, are particularly difficult to recycle [45]. The lack of infrastructure and specialized technologies for recycling these materials in Brazil represents a significant obstacle. Adopting a circular economy approach is essential to addressing this problem. This involves designing turbines with more sustainable materials, promoting the reuse of components, and developing efficient recycling chains. Furthermore, it is necessary to foster collaboration between manufacturers, governments, and research centers to create innovative solutions to close the life cycle of materials used in the wind industry. Considering aspects of battery energy storage systems (BESSs), wind intermittency is an inherent characteristic of wind energy, posing challenges for the electrical grid's stability. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are a promising solution to this problem, as they allow the storage of surplus energy generated during periods of high production and its \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline
**Technology** & **Estimated LCOE (USD/MWh)** \\ \hline Onshore wind energy & 45–80 \\ \hline Offshore wind energy (fixed) & 100–165 \\ \hline Offshore wind energy (floating) & 140–225 \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 15: Comparative levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for onshore and offshore wind projects. release when demand is higher or generation is low. However, the implementation of BESSs in Brazil faces several challenges. First, the costs associated with these technologies are still high, limiting their large-scale adoption. Furthermore, battery manufacturing involves using critical materials, such as lithium and cobalt, whose extraction and processing have significant environmental and social impacts. To overcome these obstacles, it is crucial to invest in research and development of more efficient, sustainable, and economical batteries, as well as in policies that incentivize their adoption [42]. Energy efficiency in the value chain is another fundamental pillar of the sustainability of the wind industry. Although the energy generated by turbines is clean, the equipment's manufacturing, transportation, and installation processes consume large amounts of energy, often from non-renewable sources. Optimizing these processes using renewable energy in manufacturing, improving logistics, and adopting more efficient technologies can significantly reduce the sector's carbon footprint. Furthermore, integrating smart energy management systems can improve the operational efficiency of wind farms. These systems, based on artificial intelligence and data analysis, make it possible to predict wind patterns, optimize energy production, and reduce waste [46; 47; 48]. Introducing offshore wind energy in Brazil presents a series of advantages and disadvantages that must be carefully considered.