Emergy Evaluation of the Tidal Power Plant in Saemanguem, Korea

The region of Saemangeum for this study is influenced by two major rivers, Dongin and Mankyung. Currently, a 33km long seawall has been constructed for the purpose of reclamation of 283km2 land area and fresh water reservoir area of 118km2 for the major national internal development project, planned for its completion by 2030. The Saemangeum provides an optimal location for tidal power generation with 3.93m tide range and existing seawall, which accounts for a large part of the cost advantage. The study shows that the electricity emergy value is 7.22E+20 seJ/yr, which is equivalent to 211 billion Em₩/yr in terms of emergy-based currency equivalent value. The EYR is 5.14, which suggests that the contribution to the economy provided by this alternative energy source is large enough to be able to compete with other fossil sources. ELR equals to 0.24 indicates a relatively minimal loading on the local environment. The ESI equals to 21 indicate that the sustainability of the system is very high. Due to the consistent flow of seawater through the tidal power generation plant, tidal flat is expected to rehabilitate its system and restore other marine products as well. The result of this analysis is the recovering productivity of shellfishes, seaweeds and fish production. The total emergy value for those three items was 4.74E +19 seJ/yr and their ecologic-economic value was calculated for the amount of 13.8 billion Em₩/yr. Furthermore, a reduction of 563,340 tons of carbon emission by the tidal power generation is expected, which has a benefit of CDM revenue of 10.2 billion Em₩/yr. Thus, emergy cost and benefit analysis show high feasibility of the tidal power generation with 3.66 (B/C ratio), confirmed as a net benefit of 171 billion Em₩/yr.