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Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity Generation from an Array of Subsea Tidal Kite Prototypes

Authors :
Mohamad Kaddoura
Johan Tivander
Sverker Molander
Source :
Energies, Vol 13, Iss 2, p 456 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2020.

Abstract

Tidal current technologies have the potential to provide highly predictable energy, since tides are driven by lunar cycles. However, before implementing such technologies on a large scale, their environmental performance should be assessed. In this study, a prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed on a 12 MW tidal energy converter array of Minesto Deep Green 500 (DG500) prototypes, closely following the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) standards, but including scenarios to cover various design possibilities. The global warming potential (GWP) of the prototype array was in the range of 18.4−26.3 gCO2-eq/kWhe. This is comparable with other renewable energy systems, such as wind power. Material production processes have the largest impact, but are largely offset by recycling at the end of life. Operation and maintenance processes, including the production of replacement parts, also provide major contributions to environmental impacts. Comparisons with other technologies are limited by the lack of a standardized way of performing LCA on offshore power generation technologies.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19961073
Volume :
13
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Energies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.75783f582f4e3a88771a1df3461514
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020456