Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment—A Survey Based Potential Future Development for Implementation and Interpretation

The aim of this study is to define, via an online expert survey, current challenges and possible future approaches in and for the implementation, application, and interpretation of the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). Using an online survey, sustainability experts from around the world were surveyed over a period of five weeks, resulting in 71 experts answering 25 questions. The experts were invited by e-mail and through networks; the online questionnaire was the preferred survey choice particularly for reasons of time, cost, and the pandemic. The survey evaluation shows that no change in LCSA is needed. Nevertheless, (1) a detailed optional baseline LCSA framework, with pre-selected fixed indicator sets, (2) a supporting optional but unified visualization tool, (3) a clear and transparent communication on assumptions, targets and system boundaries and (4) early defined stakeholders were identified as relevant for further LCSA implementation and interpretation. Due to natural subjectivity, the results of this written survey are to be understood as recommendations for action and orientation, not explicitly as a prediction. Finally, an action outlook for future LCSA-development is given.

Application of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment to Used Lubricant Oil Management in South Brazilian Region

Used Lubricant Oil (ULO) is a hazardous waste resulting from lubricant oil used in motorized equipment to reduce friction between moving surfaces that, over time, wear outs and becomes contaminated. The purpose of this study is to compare the sustainability of two ULO management systems in Brazil: one designated in this study by the TTR scenario (which includes transportation, trans-shipment, and re-refining phases), the other designated by the TsTR scenario (without the trans-shipment phase) to evaluate which scenario is socially, economically, and environmentally more efficient. The study uses the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodology. As a combination of life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (s-LCA), it integrates the three sustainability dimensions (environmental, social, and economic). The sustainability index was calculated by aggregating data from eight environmental indicators, five economic indicators, and five social indicators. The results showed that the TsTR scenario presented the best values for the sustainability assessment than the TTR scenario. The TsTR scenario had the best social and economic performance, and the TTR scenario had the best environmental performance. The differences observed in those scenarios’ performances were noted by the absence or presence of the trans-shipment center. The absence of this center improved the social and economic performance of the scenario. The social dimension was improved by the elimination of the stage that causes problems related to social and economic dimensions by reducing several costs that can be associated with it. The presence of the trans-shipment center improves the environmental performance scenario by reducing the number of hazards that could impact the re-refining phase. The LCSA methodology enables a comparative life cycle assessment of two alternative system evaluations of ULO management by the sustainability index of each scenario. This index helps to analyze the contributions of each of the 18 categories and subcategories in the perspective of the sustainability dimensions and, consequently, to carry out their integrated evaluation, aiming to define the best sustainability scenario.

Applying Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment to maximise the innovation potential of new technologies for critical components in wind turbines

Future wind turbines require flexible and economically affordable product development processes to obtain reliable and validated new concepts for larger wind turbines. Pitch bearings and gearboxes are considered critical components, due to their high contribution to the operational costs of wind farms and their high failure rates. Within the Horizon 2020 project INNTERESTING (Innovative Future-Proof Testing Methods for Reliable Critical Components in Wind Turbines) new concepts and technologies concerning two critical components are being developed for future wind turbines. Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) is applied iteratively to gain insights in the more demanding requirements for future wind turbines, specifically on the reduction of capital and operational expenditures and improvement of the environmental and socio-economic performance aspects of wind turbines in order to reduce the economic, environmental and social impact of the newly developed technologies. This paper focusses on the results of the first LCSA iteration for the business-as-usual reference scenarios which will serve as a benchmark and reference for the newly to be developed solutions in the project.