Evaluation of environmental sustainability matrix of Deepgen tidal turbine. (15th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rashedi, Ahmad; Khanam, Taslima; Jeong, Byongug; Hussain, Majid
• Is Part Of: Ocean engineering. Volume 266(2022)Part 4
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment -- Sustainability -- Carbon footprint -- Climate change -- Renewable energy; Ocean engineering -- Periodicals; Ocean engineering; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.113031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-8018

Abstract

Abstract: Tidal energy is a reliable, consistent and abundant source of renewable energy. However, there are many concerns with different tidal energy devices relating to their environmental impacts over the lifetime. It is essential to address these issues by assessing the environmental impacts of these technologies throughout all phases of life cycle. In this context, a cradle to grave life cycle assessment (LCA) study is performed hereby on 1 MW Deepgen tidal turbine. ReCiPe LCA method has been used to evaluate 18 different environmental impacts; i.e., global warming in 100 years horizon, stratospheric ozone depletion, ionising radiation, ozone formation (human health), fine particulate matter formation, ozone formation (terrestrial ecosystems), terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, human carcinogenic toxicity, human non-carcinogenic toxicity, land use, mineral resource scarcity, fossil resource scarcity and water consumption. According to the findings, steel, copper and glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) carry the highest contributions across all impact categories. Steel contributes about 30%, on average, across all impact categories; copper contributes significantly to eutrophication and toxicity impacts while GFRP contributes significantly to marine eutrophication. Total global warming emission of the turbine stands at approximately 1 ktCO2 eq which establishes the turbine as a lower GHG impact carrying solution. Findings from the study will serve as a benchmark to deploy more tidal power turbines around the world. Highlights: A life cycle assessment (LCA) study has been undertaken for 1 MW Deepgen tidal turbine. Total 18 different life cycle environmental impacts have been calculated. Total global warming emission of the turbine stands at approximately 1 ktCO2 eq. Steel, copper and GFRP carry the highest LCA impacts among all LCI processes. Copper contributes significantly to the eutrophication and toxicity impacts.