Life cycle assessment of a wave cycloidal rotor: environmental performance and improvement pathways

Abstract

Wave energy technology needs to be reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. Therefore, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a critical tool in the design of marine renewable energy devices. However, LCA studies of floating type wave cycloidal rotors remain limited. This study builds on previous work by assessing the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of a cycloidal rotor wave farm, incorporating updated material inventories, site-dependent energy production, and lifetime extension scenarios. The farm with the steel cyclorotor configuration exhibits a carbon intensity of 21.4 g CO2 eq/kWh and an energy intensity of 344 kJ/kWh, which makes it a competitive technology compared to other wave energy converters. Alternative materials, such as aluminium and carbon fibre, yield mass reductions but incur higher embodied emissions. Site deployment strongly influences performance, with global warming potential reduced by up to 50% in high-power-density sites, while extending the operational lifetime from 25 to 30 years further reduces the impact by 17%. Overall, the results highlight the competitive environmental performance of floating wave cycloidal rotors and emphasize the importance of material selection, site selection, and lifetime extension strategies in reducing life cycle impacts