scholarly journals Adoption of Photovoltaic Systems Along a Sure Path: A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) Study Applied to the Analysis of GHG Emission Impacts

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Constantino ◽  
Marcos Freitas ◽  
Neilton Fidelis ◽  
Marcio Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Payback Time ◽  
High Share

The expansion of photovoltaic solar energy in the world is significant. However, its contribution to decreases in greenhouse gases (GHG) is not an absolute guarantee. In this context, it is necessary to evaluate its benefits in advance, considering the structure of the electric energy supply matrix of the country producing the photovoltaic solar system, as well as the country where the technology will be implemented. This study evaluates the adoption of renewable sources for electric power generation in a country with a high share of renewable energy. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) of a set of multi-Si photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in the Brazilian northeast (NE), was carried out. The actual generation data of 10 plants totaling 1.1 MWp installed capacity were evaluated during two years of operation. Energy payback time (EPBT), greenhouse gas emission rate (GHGe-rate), and emission payback time were calculated. The great influence of the electric matrix characteristics of the country manufacturing PV systems was evidenced in the results. The interconnected Brazilian electrical system had a 2020 projected GHGe-rate of 63.9 g CO2/kWh, while the results of 70% of the photovoltaic solar power plants (PSPS) assessed herein exhibit higher GHGe-rates. Thus, in countries where the electric matrix comprises a high share of renewable sources, such as Brazil, the incentive to use PV systems manufactured in nations whose electric matrix registers high emission factors should be well evaluated in terms of the impacts of GHG concentrations and the promotion of sustainable development, in order to avoid indirect import of significant amounts of carbon embedded in the systems.

scholarly journals Complete Data Inventory of a Geothermal Power Plant for Robust Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment Results

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Tosti ◽  
Nicola Ferrara ◽  
Riccardo Basosi ◽  
Maria Laura Parisi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Impact Category ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Geothermal Systems ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Geothermal Power

Technologies to produce electric energy from renewable geothermal source are gaining increasing attention, due to their ability to provide a stable output suitable for baseload production. Performing life cycle assessment (LCA) of geothermal systems has become essential to evaluate their environmental performance. However, so far, no documented nor reliable information has been made available for developing robust LCA studies. This work provides a comprehensive inventory of the Italian Bagnore geothermal power plants system. The inventory is based exclusively on primary data, accounting for every life cycle stage of the system. Data quality was assessed by means of a pedigree matrix. The calculated LCA results showed, with an overall low level of uncertainty (2–3%), that the commissioning and operational phases accounted for more than 95% of the environmental profile. Direct emissions to atmosphere were shown to be the major environmental impact, particularly those released during the operational phase (84%). The environmental performances comparison with the average Italian electricity mix showed that the balance is always in favor of geothermal energy production, except in the climate change impact category. The overall outcome confirms the importance, for flash technology employing fluid with a high concentration of gas content, of using good quality primary data to obtain robust results.

scholarly journals A partial life cycle assessment approach to evaluate the energy intensity and related greenhouse gas emission in dairy farms

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lelia Murgia ◽  
Giuseppe Todde ◽  
Maria Caria ◽  
Antonio Pazzona
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Feeding Management

Dairy farming is constantly evolving towards more intensive levels of mechanization and automation which demand more energy consumption and result in higher economic and environmental costs. The usage of fossil energy in agricultural processes contributes to climate change both with on-farm emissions from the combustion of fuels, and by off-farm emissions due to the use of grid power. As a consequence, a more efficient use of fossil resources together with an increased use of renewable energies can play a key role for the development of more sustainable production systems. The aims of this study were to evaluate the energy requirements (fuels and electricity) in dairy farms, define the distribution of the energy demands among the different farm operations, identify the critical point of the process and estimate the amount of CO2 associated with the energy consumption. The inventory of the energy uses has been outlined by a partial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, setting the system boundaries at the farm level, from cradle to farm gate. All the flows of materials and energy associated to milk production process, including crops cultivation for fodder production, were investigated in 20 dairy commercial farms over a period of one year. Self-produced energy from renewable sources was also accounted as it influence the overall balance of emissions. Data analysis was focused on the calculation of energy and environmental sustainability indicators (EUI, CO2-eq) referred to the functional units. The production of 1 kg of Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) required on average 0.044 kWhel and 0.251 kWhth, corresponding to a total emission of 0.085 kg CO2-eq). The farm activities that contribute most to the electricity requirements were milk cooling, milking and slurry management, while feeding management and crop cultivation were the greatest diesel fuel consuming operation and the largest in terms of environmental impact of milk production (73% of energy CO2-eq emissions). The results of the study can assist in the development of dairy farming models based on a more efficient and profitable use of the energy resources.

scholarly journals Greenhouse Gas Emission of Broiler Chicken Production in Malaysia using Life Cycle Assessment Guidelines: A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-97
Author(s):  
Syakira Afiqah Suffian ◽  
Atiah Abdullah Sidek ◽  
Toshihiko Matsuto ◽  
Muataz Hazza Al Hazza ◽  
Hazlina Md Yusof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Broiler Chicken ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Chicken Farm

The aim of this research was to evaluate the level of greenhouse gas emission from broiler chicken farming industry in Malaysia. In order to achieve that, Life Cycle Assessment method was chosen as a framework to complete the task. A case study was conducted at a broiler chicken farm to gather the data and information related to the broiler chicken production. Cradle-to-gate assessment including distribution stage was conducted based on the ISO14040/1044 guidelines. Inventory data for this case study was gathered in collaboration with one of the selected case study broiler chicken farm company. Greenhouse gas emission that consists of several most affected gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide was studied. Result shows that the highest carbon dioxide emission came from manure, which accounted for 1,665,342 kg CO2 equivalent per total broilers while the highest methane emission came from feed, which accounted for 126,207.84 g CH4 equivalent per total broilers. For nitrous oxide emission, the highest values came from bedding which accounted for 20,316.87 g N2O equivalent per total broilers in the commercial modern broiler chicken farm. In this case study, it can be concluded that manure gives the most prominent effect to the greenhouse gas emission followed by feed and bedding materials. 

scholarly journals The Impact Assessment of Campus Buildings Based on a Life Cycle Assessment–Life Cycle Cost Integrated Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuyuan Xue ◽  
Hongbo Liu ◽  
Qinxiao Zhang ◽  
Jingxin Wang ◽  
Jilin Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Impact

The development of higher education has led to an increasing demand for campus buildings. To promote the sustainable development of campus buildings, this paper combines social willingness-to-pay (WTP) with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on the characteristics of Chinese campus buildings to establish a life cycle assessment–life cycle cost (LCA–LCC) integrated model. Based on this model, this paper analyses the teaching building at a university in North China. The results show that the environmental impacts and economic costs are largest in the operation phase of the life cycle, mainly because of the use of electric energy. The environmental impacts and economic costs during the construction phase mainly come from the building material production process (BMPP); in this process, steel is the main source. Throughout the life cycle, abiotic depletion-fossil fuel potential (ADP fossil) and global warming potential (GWP) are the most prominent indexes. Further analysis shows that these two indexes should be the emphases of similar building assessments in the near future. Finally, this study offers suggestions for the proposed buildings and existing buildings based on the prominent problems found in the case study, with the aim to provide reference for the design, construction, and operation management of similar buildings.

Implementation of Life Cycle Assessment Method (LCA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Determine the Development of Recycling Unit of Waste Water in Grati CCPP PT Indonesia Power up Perak Grati

2018 ◽  
Vol 874 ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Mila Tartiarini ◽  
Udisubakti Ciptomulyono
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Waste Water Treatment Plant ◽  
Service Water ◽  
The Impact

Waste water result from operating activities of Grati Combined Cycled Power Plant (CCPP) is significant amount and has potentially to be reutilized. A recycling unit as the pilot project has been applied in Grati CCPP PT Indonesia Power UP Perak Grati for capacity 4 tons/hour of service water product. Development plant of Grati CCPP up to year 2018 will produce more amounts of waste water, and potentially increase the pollution load in the unit area.Considering the use of alternative development for unit recycled waste water effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) has implications to the environmental and cost aspects, therefore a proper assessment to decide the alternative is needed. Proposed method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is to measure the impact to the environment. And the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) is to measure the economic criteria. To integrate the results of the two methods, it is used and calculated by using Hierarcy Analytical Process (AHP).The result of the study about the environmental impact and economic analysis, the development of the recycling unit is required to process all waste water produced by power plants. Focus group by experts in power plant operation using AHP is based on the results of SimaPro 7.0 and CBA. The most beneficial result is with a single score of 0.2314 Pt / 1 ton of water service, the payback period of 2.5 years, 37.5% IRR and NPV US$ 88,577.23 and the MMF-RO unit for total capacity of 14 tons/hour has become the most alternative of development.

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