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 10 MW 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 to 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 and 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.