Evaluation of environmental sustainability matrix of Deepgen tidal turbine

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.