Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part M Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment · 2008 · 162 citations · 12 references
Embodied EnergyCarbon DioxideEngineeringMarine EngineeringMarine EnergyWind TurbinesOffshore Wind EnergyEnergy GenerationPower GenerationRenewable Energy SystemsOcean EnergyEnergy ResourcesLife Cycle EnergyLow-carbon Energy SystemsMarine EngineOcean EngineeringSustainable EnergyTidal PowerLife Cycle AssessmentEnergy SupplyOcean Renewable Energy
The first commercial grid‑connected tidal current installation will use the Seagen marine current turbine, prompting a need to evaluate its life‑cycle energy and CO₂ impacts. The study analyzes the life‑cycle energy use and CO₂ emissions of the first‑generation Seagen turbines. The assessment evaluates embodied energy and CO₂ from materials, manufacturing, installation, operation, and decommissioning of the turbines. The turbines achieve energy and carbon intensities of 214 kJ/kWh and 15 g CO₂/kWh, with energy and CO₂ payback periods of 14 and 8 months, respectively, and their environmental performance remains robust across scenarios, driven mainly by material use and offering improvement potential through structural efficiency and alternative installation methods.
The world's first commercial‐scale grid‐connected tidal current energy installation will feature the Seagen marine current turbine developed by Marine Current Turbines Ltd. With potential for the manufacture of significant numbers of such devices there is a need to assess their environmental impact and, in particular, their life cycle energy and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) performance. This paper presents an analysis of the life cycle energy use and CO 2 emissions associated with the first generation of Seagen turbines. The detailed assessment covers the embodied energy and CO 2 in the materials and manufacturing of components, device installation, and operation along with those for decommissioning. With relatively conservative assumptions, and despite the early stage of development, the study shows that at 214 kJ/kWh and 15 g CO 2 /kWh, the respective energy and carbon intensities are comparable with large wind turbines and very low relative to the 400 to 1000 g CO 2 /kWh typical of fossil‐fuelled generation. The energy payback period is approximately 14 months and the CO 2 payback is around 8 months. The embodied energy and carbon show limited sensitivity to assumptions with environmental performance remains excellent even under the most adverse scenarios considered. Materials use is identified as the primary contributors to embodied energy and carbon with shipping also significant. Improvements in the environmental impact of the Seagen can be achieved primarily by increased structural efficiency and the use of alternative installation methods to increase recovery of steel at decommissioning.
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