Life Cycle Assessment of Photovoltaics; Update of the ecoinvent Database

2007 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Jungbluth ◽  
Roberto Dones ◽  
Rolf Frischknecht
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Industry Association ◽  
Ecoinvent Database ◽  
Federal Authority ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Production Stages ◽  
Background Database

AbstractRecently, the data for photovoltaics in the ecoinvent database have been updated on behalf of the European Photovoltaics Industry Association and the Swiss Federal Authority for Energy. Data have been collected in this project directly from manufacturers and were provided by other research projects. LCA studies from different authors are considered for the assessment. The information is used to elaborate a life cycle inventory from cradle to grave for the PV electricity production in 3kWp plants in the year 2005.The inventories cover mono- and polycrystalline cells, amorphous and ribbon-silicon, CdTe and CIS thin film cells. Environmental impacts due to the infrastructure for all production stages and the effluents from wafer production are also considered. The ecoinvent database is used as background database.Results from the LCA study are presented, comparing different types of cells and analysing also the electricity production in a range of different countries. It is also discussed how the environmental impacts of photovoltaics have been reduced over the last 15 years, using the CED indicator. The consistent and coherent LCI datasets for basic processes make it easier to perform LCA studies, and increase the credibility and acceptance of the life cycle results. The content of the PV LCI datasets is made publicly available via the website www.ecoinvent.org for ecoinvent members.

Designing sustainable footbridges: comparing steel, concrete and FRP.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesbeth Tromp ◽  
Kees Van Ijselmuijden ◽  
Jorrit Zuidema
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Comparison Study ◽  
Industry Association ◽  
The Public ◽  
Reinforced Polymer ◽  
Ecoinvent Database ◽  
Design Property ◽  
Fibre Reinforced Polymer

<p>More and more clients and the public are asking for sustainable and circular solutions for infrastructure. Many opinions and often prejudice exist on the sustainability of each material. However, sustainability is just as much a design property as a material property. To illustrate how choices made by the designer affect the environmental impact of the structure, this study compares solutions in steel, concrete and Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) for footbridges of 15m and 25m span as they exist today. Boundary conditions have been set in advance and the designs have been prepared to the same level of depth by senior engineers with comparable expertise in the respective materials. The concepts have been compared on CO₂-emissions over the life cycle, including maintenance. End-of-life (EoL) scenarios are described qualitatively but it is debated how to include these in the CO₂-emissions, as in a 100 years’ time technologies for recycling will be substantially different from today’s. Including the EoL in this comparison study therefore means that a uncertain parameter is made part of the equation. Use has been made of the EcoInvent database and the EuCIA Eco Impact Calculator, an environmental impact tool developed by the FRP industry association using the latest data available on FRP. This paper identifies the challenges in the assessment of sustainability of the designs, the relevance of certain design parameters and discusses how to deal with future EoL aspects in today’s assessment.</p>

scholarly journals Life Cycle Cost Comparison Study of PV and Concrete Rooftop in Jakarta

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Religiana Hendarti
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
The Us ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Building Life Cycle ◽  
Total Life

This paper presents a comparative study of “life cycle cost” or LCC of a building school rooftop element in Jakarta. The simulation applied two different types of roof: a concrete roof and a PV rooftop. The aim of this study is to investigate the electricity production of the solar panels, the saving to investment ratio or SIR, and the total life cycle cost of each rooftop element. To accommodate those objectives, the calculation utilized a software called “Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) version 5” which is a product of the US Department of Energy. The simulation results showed that the LCC can be improved by 27.6%, and the “discounted payback” is reached at year 15. Indeed, this indicates that a roof made of solar panels is promising to replace the existing concrete roof.

scholarly journals Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Electric Vehicles and Electricity Supply: How Hourly Defined Life Cycle Assessment and Smart Charging Can Contribute

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Baumann ◽  
Michael Salzinger ◽  
Simon Remppis ◽  
Benjamin Schober ◽  
Michael Held ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Unit Commitment ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Electricity Supply ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Smart Charging ◽  
Electricity Mix ◽  
Renewable Electricity Generation

Increasing shares of renewable electricity generation lead to fundamental changes of the electricity supply, resulting in varying supply mixes and environmental impacts. The hourly-defined life cycle assessment (HD-LCA) approach aims to capture the environmental profile of electricity supply in an hourly resolution. It offers a flexible connectivity to unit commitment models or real-time electricity production and consumption data from electricity suppliers. When charging EVs, the environmental impact of the charging session depends on the electricity mix during the session. This paper introduces the combination of HD-LCA and smart charging and illustrates its impacts on the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of BEVs.

Energy Consumption and Emission of Pollutants from Electric Bicycles

2014 ◽  
Vol 505-506 ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tie Zhu Li ◽  
Fang Qian ◽  
Chen Su
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Short Distance ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Use Stage ◽  
Electric Bicycles

Electric bicycles (EBs) are now becoming the main vehicles for short-distance trips because of their speediness, flexibility and convenience in many cities in China. However, these benefits come at a cost. This study analyzed the energy consumption and emission of pollutants at every stage of the EB life cycle (production, use, maintenance and recycling) by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The environmental impacts and the energy consumption in production and use were quantified and compared with other competing modes of transport, such as bicycles, buses, motorcycles and cars. The results show that the energy consumption and emissions of pollutants by EBs occur mainly in the use stage, and specifically in the process of electricity production and battery change. The emissions of pollutants by EBs per person per kilometer are several times smaller than the values for motorcycles and cars, more or less equivalent to buses and higher than bicycles.

Life Cycle Environmental Impacts of Electricity Production by Solarthermal Power Plants in Spain

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolanda Lechón ◽  
Cristina de la Rúa ◽  
Rosa Sáez
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Thermal Plant ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Whole Life Cycle

The objectives of the analysis reported in this paper are to evaluate the environmental impacts of the electricity produced in a 17MW solar thermal plant with central tower technology and a 50MW solar thermal plant with parabolic trough technology, to identify the opportunities to improve the systems in order to reduce their environmental impacts, and to evaluate the environmental impact resulting from compliance with the solar thermal power objectives in Spain. The methodology chosen is the life cycle assessment (LCA), described in the international standard series ISO 14040-43. The functional unit has been defined as the production of 1kWh of electricity. Energy use needed to construct, operate, and dismantle the power plants is estimated. These results are used to calculate the “energy payback time” of these technologies. Results were around 1yr for both power plants. Environmental impacts analyzed include the global warming impacts along the whole life cycle of the power plants, which were around 200g∕kWh generated. Finally, the environmental impacts associated with the compliance of the solar thermal power objectives in Spain were computed. Those figures were then used to estimate the avoided environmental impacts including the potential CO2 emission savings that could be accomplished by these promotion policies. These savings amounted for 634kt of CO2 equiv./yr.

scholarly journals Porovnání environmentálních dopadů různých typů jogurtových kelímků

Entecho ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Nikola Kráľová ◽  
Markéta Šerešová ◽  
Vladimír Kočí
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Impact Category ◽  
Plastic Packaging ◽  
Freshwater Ecotoxicity ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Glass Packaging

Cílem práce bylo posoudit environmentální dopady různých typů zvolených jogurtových kelímků vyrobených z různých materiálů: z plastu, papíru, skla či z kompozitního materiálu. Environmentální dopady byly vyhodnoceny metodou posuzování životního cyklu (z angl. life cycle assessment, LCA). Výsledky práce ukazují, že skleněné a kompozitní obaly jsou horší než obaly plastové, s výjimkou kategorie dopadu Spotřeba fosilních surovin a humánní toxicita. Jako nejlepší vychází plastový obal s K3 dekorací (papír), který ve všech hodnocených kategoriích dopadu vykazuje nejlepší výsledky. V kategorii dopadu Klimatické změny se nejhůř umístil kompozitní obal a obal skleněný. Nejvíce ovlivněnou kategorií je Sladkovodní ekotoxicita, nejvyšší dopady v rámci této kategorie vykazuje obal skleněný a následně kompozitní. V rámci kategorie dopadu Ionizující záření má největší dopad skleněný obal následovaný obalem kompozitním. Na základě výsledků výzkumu bylo zjištěno, že hlavní příčinou dopadů plastových kelímků na životní prostředí je výroba PP granulátu, u skleněných obalů je to výroba samotného skla a v případě kompozitních obalů výroba kompozitního obalu. Abstract (en) The aim of the work was to assess the environmental impacts of different types of selected yoghurt cups made of different materials: plastic, paper, glass or composite material. Environmental impacts were assessed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The results of the work show that glass and composite packaging is worse than plastic packaging except for the impact category Resource use (mineral and metals) and Human toxicity. The best packaging appears to be plastic packaging with K3 decoration (paper), which has the smallest impacts in all evaluated impact categories. In the impact category Climate change, composite packaging and glass packaging have the greatest impact. The most affected category is Freshwater ecotoxicity. The highest impacts within this category are shown by glass packaging and subsequently composite packaging. In the impact category Ionizing radiation, the greatest impact has a glass packaging, then a composite packaging. Based on the results, it was determined that the main cause of the impacts of plastic cups is the production of PP granulate. In the case of glass packaging, it is the production of the glass itself, and in the case of composite packaging, the production of the composite packaging.

scholarly journals Comparing The Environmental Impacts Of Diesel Generated Electricity With Hybrid Diesel-Wind Electricity For Off Grid First Nation Communities In Ontario : Incorporating A Life Cycle Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
First Nation ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Life Cycle Approach ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Wind Energy Potential

The cost of diesel is rapidly increasing and the environmental impacts associated with diesel fuel combustion are substantial. Hybrid diesel-wind energy was found to be a feasible energy alternative for off-grid electricity production in seven First Nation communities of Ontario. Based on calculating the wind energy potential for a proposed 250 KW wind turbine and determining the amount of diesel that the wind turbine could replace hybrid diesel-wind has the potential to reduce diesel consumption and environmental impacts associated with the current diesel energy systems by 12-46% depending on the wind energy potential. Results of a life cycle analysis comparing the environmental impacts of the proposed hybrid diesel-wind system to the diesel system through the use of GaBi software show that global warming potential is the largest impact for both energy systems, but hybrid diesel-wind can significantly reduce the overall environmental impact caused by off grid diesel electricity generation.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Wood Pellet Production in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyarath Saosee ◽  
Boonrod Sajjakulnukit ◽  
Shabbir Gheewala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Wood Pellets ◽  
Wood Pellet ◽  
Pellet Production ◽  
Production Processes

Thailand has increased wood pellet production for export and domestic use. The variations in production processes, raw materials, and transportation related to wood pellet production make it necessary to evaluate the environmental impacts assessment. The objective of this study was to compare via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), eight different cases of wood pellet production varying in terms of raw materials, production processes, energy use, and the format of transportation and to compare LCA of electricity production from wood pellets and fossil fuels. The comparison results show that leucaena is better as a feedstock for wood pellet production than acacia due to shorter harvest cycle and lesser use of resources. Pellet production consumes the most energy contributing significantly to the environmental impacts. The use of fossil fuels in wood pellet production and transportation also has a major contribution to the environmental impacts. Using wood pellets for electricity production is better than lignite in terms of human health, ecosystem quality and resource scarcity. Recommendations from this study include increasing yield of feedstock plants, shortening harvest cycle, reducing overuse of fertilizers and herbicides, pollution control, reducing fossil fuel use in the supply chain, good logistics, feedstock access, and offering incentives considering the externality cost.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of an Oscillating Wave Surge Energy Converter

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Maria Apolonia ◽  
Teresa Simas
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Wave Energy Converter ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Ecoinvent Database ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
Background Data ◽  
Final Design

So far, very few studies have focused on the quantification of the environmental impacts of a wave energy converter. The current study presents a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the MegaRoller wave energy converter, aiming to contribute to decision making regarding the least carbon- and energy-intensive design choices. The LCA encompasses all life cycle stages from “cradle-to-grave” for the wave energy converter, including the panel, foundation, PTO and mooring system, considering its deployment in Peniche, Portugal. Background data was mainly sourced from the manufacturer whereas foreground data was sourced from the Ecoinvent database (v.3.4). The resulting impact assessment of the MegaRoller is aligned with all previous studies in concluding that the main environmental impacts are due to materials use and manufacture, and mainly due to high amounts of material used, particularly steel. The scenario analysis showed that a reduction of the environmental impacts in the final design of the MegaRoller wave energy converter could potentially lie in reducing the quantity of steel by studying alternatives for its replacement. Results are generally comparable with earlier studies for ocean technologies and are very low when compared with other power generating technologies.

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