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Renewable Energy
Article . 2022 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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SSRN Electronic Journal
Article . 2021 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Life cycle assessment of a point-absorber wave energy array

Authors: Shona Pennock; María M. Vanegas-Cantarero; Tianna Bloise-Thomaz; Henry Jeffrey; Matthew J. Dickson;

Life cycle assessment of a point-absorber wave energy array

Abstract

Wave energy has a large global resource and thus a great potential to contribute to low-carbon energy systems. This study quantifies the environmental impacts of a 10MW array of 28 point-absorber wave energy converters, by means of a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA). Midpoint and Cumulative Energy Demand LCA results are presented over 19 impact categories, representing impacts encompassing human health, ecosystems and resource availability. Three scenarios are undertaken to represent the use phase of the array, identified as a particularly uncertain input, with very little long-term operation of wave energy arrays available to validate assumptions. The resultant global warming potential of the array ranges from 25.1- 46.0 gCO2e/kWh over a 95% confidence interval, 23-43 times lower than conventional fossil fuel electricity generation. The Energy Payback Time of the array ranges between 2.6-5.2 years. LCA results are found to be particularly sensitive to annual energy production across all impact categories, and to assumptions associated with the frequency of marine operations over a number of categories quantifying the production of greenhouse gases. This LCA has been undertaken at an early stage in the WEC product development and will inform innovative research focused on further reducing the environmental impacts of electricity generation.

Country
United Kingdom
Related Organizations
Keywords

Wave energy, Carbon footprint, Environmental impact, Life cycle assessment, Operations and maintenance

  • BIP!
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    citations
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    17
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
17
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%