Work

Life cycle assessment of a point absorber wave energy converter

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Harnessing wave energy from the oceans using wave energy converters (WECs) offers a huge opportunity to diversify Europe's future renewable energy system. Although the energy conversion of this pre-commercial technology is not directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental sustainability over the full life cycle needs to be ensured for a future-proof large-scale application of WECs. Therefore, we present a cradle-to-grave full life cycle assessment (LCA) study for a generic point absorber WEC based on a fully transparent and adaptable life cycle inventory. Within the study we assess the environmental impacts of a single point absorber device, the influence of different hull materials, hotspots in the impacts of WEC components, and variations induced by different deployment locations. For a WEC deployed in the North Sea, we found a global warming impact of 300-325 gCO 2 eq./kWh with periphery and 52-77 gCO 2 eq./kWh without periphery, depending on the hull material. Using an alternative fibre-reinforced concrete material for the hull can reduce the impact across all categories by between 10% (marine eutrophication) and 78% (human toxicity, carcinogenic). In addition to the WEC itself we found that the electrical cable and vessel operations, particularly for maintenance, are significant contributors. These two elements will also be relevant to other marine renewables such as offshore wind and floating solar. Overall, this study shows potential for improving environmental impacts from WECs and identifies possible levers to achieve such a reduction. • Transparent, detailed and adaptable inventory data for a generic point absorber WEC. • Global warming impacts of 52 - 325 gCO 2 eq./kWh for a WEC in the North Sea. • Changing the hull material from steel to concrete can reduce impacts significantly. • The maintenance strategy and the electrical cable are major external contributors.

Source: Cleaner Environmental Systems

DOI: 10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100265

Authors: Tabea Engelfried, Stefano Cucurachi, George Lavidas

Institutions: Delft University of Technology, Leiden University

Language: English

Topic: Wave and Wind Energy Systems

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,910