1,721,309 research outputs found
Life cycle energy sustainability assessment: an expanded framework for energy technologies
No full textLife Cycle sustainability assessment is one of the most relevant tools delving in sustainability science, based currently on the triple bottom line idea, that is identified in the use of the three tools of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). The methodology is structured on international regulations and is currently being applied to a wide set of products and systems.
However, when targeting specifically energy technologies with this methodology some specific issues need to be taken in consideration before applying tout court the standard LCSA methodology. Energy systems – in particular those where fluid streams are used – have an understanding depth that cannot be currently investigated with the available tools, thus having only a partial understanding of the problem.
This paper proposes to develop an extended framework for LCSA introducing two additional stages to the theory, to address the limits highlighted in the previous paragraphs: Constructal law (CL) inspired analysis of the energy design of the system and exergy analysis (EA) of the system and its life cycle.
A fully developed case study (a biomass boiler) is proposed, described in all five stages of the extended Life Cycle Energy Sustainability Assessment: LCA, LCC, S-LCA, CL, EA, highlighting both the quantitative results related to each section and the strengths and limits of the methodology, while stressing the potential applications as e.g. decision support tool and support to the design of energy system.
The results highlight different and optimized designs for the boiler through a Constructal law based analysis and several hot-spots throughout different stages of the life cycle, ranging from the production stage of steel for most environmental indicators in LCA to the cooking stage for the exergy analysis. Relevant positive impacts are traced also in the S-LCA point of view during both the use and production step
Life Cycle Assessment of electricity production from refuse derived fuel: A case study in Italy
Full text linkBiomasses and bio-waste have an important role in decarbonizing the European energy mix, the latter contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. In particular, Refuse Derived Fuel (RFD) - a biofuel obtained from dry residue of waste – appears a really interesting energy option. In this framework this study aims at assessing the environmental profile of electricity generation from RDF in Italy, comparing two different kinds of RDF production and combustion plants. The functional unit is 1 kWh of net electricity from RDF delivered to the grid. Two Italian plants are examined: one located in Ravenna (RDF is produced in a direct flow treatment plant) and the other one in Bergamo (RDF is produced in a unique flow treatment plant and electricity is generated in a cogenerator). Results show that, comparing the plants, it is not possible to identify an option for RDF production or electricity generation characterized by lowest impacts for all the examined impact categories. However, cogeneration process and the avoided burdens due to the valorisation of ferrous metals and dry fractions during RDF production can reduce most of the environmental impacts. A dominance analysis reveals that chimney direct emissions generated during RDF combustion significantly contribute to some impact categories, as well as electricity consumption during RDF production. Furthermore, disposal of incineration wastes is a relevant contributor to human toxicity and freshwater eutrophication. The eco-profile of electricity from RDF is compared with electricity from the Italian grid and from multi-Si PV. The comparison highlights that electricity from RDF performs worse for relevant environmental impact categories such as climate change, human toxicity and photochemical oxidant formation. On the other hand, electricity from RDF performs better than electricity from the grid and from photovoltaic for resource depletion, an impact category of growing importance in the framework of circular economy
Construction of a webgis tool based on a gis semiautomated processing for the localization of p2g plants in sicily (Italy)
Full text linkThe recent diffusion of RES (Renewable Energy Sources), considering the electric energy produced by photovoltaic and wind plants, brought to light the problem of the unpredictable nature of wind and solar energy. P2G (Power to Gas) implementation seems to be the right solution, trans-forming curtailed energy in hydrogen. The choice of the settlement of P2G plants is linked to many factors like the distances between the gas grid and the settlement of RES plants, the transportation networks, the energy production, and population distribution. In light of this, the implementation of a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) into a Geographic Information System (GIS) processing represents a good strategy to achieve the goal in a specific territorial asset. In this work, this method has been applied to the case of study of Sicily (Italy). The paper shows in detail the geomatic semi-automated processing that allows to find the set of possible solutions and further to choose the best localization for new P2G plants, connected to a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and integrated with a WebGIS visualization for real-time analysis. This system is useful for the management, the development, and the study of hydrogen technologies, in order to link the electri-cal network and the gas network datasets with economical and infrastructural assets through GIS processing. In the future new factors will join in the process as policies on hydrogen take shape
Energy and environmental assessment of heritage building retrofit
No full textIn the transition to a low-energy economy, the building stock renovation should address the reduction of the environmental impacts, by means of suitable energy retrofits oriented to meet current energy efficiency regulations, construction guidelines, and standards on comfort and operation. With regard to the historic segment of the building stock, suitable refurbishment policies are needed to avoid the loss of their heritage values, even if this is a complex issue requiring interdisciplinary approaches, dedicated diagnostic procedures, and specific tools. In this paper a suitable method for energy and environmental assessment specifically devoted to historical building retrofit, following a life-cycle approach, is proposed. The method allows to assess the energy saving for building operation arisen from the retrofit actions, the increase of the embodied energy and the environmental impacts within the building life-cycle, and to understand whether the achieved energy benefits could be supported in a life-cycle perspective or were overcome by the environmental burdens of the actions. This method could be used to support public policies that would encourage the preservation of cultural value buildings, allowing for the assessment of the most effective actions addressed to save energy and to minimize environmental impacts along the whole building life-cycle
A GIS-based optimization model finalized to the localization of new power-to-gas plants: The case study of Sicily (Italy)
No full textIn 2020 the European Commission approved the GND (Green New Deal), a strategic plan aimed at the decarbonization of the EU by 2050. In this scenario, the diffusion of alternative renewable energy sources (RESs) play a key role, particularly electric energy production from wind and photovoltaic power plants. Regardless, the nonprogrammable nature of these power sources led recent studies to focus the interest on the power-to-gas solution (PtG), consisting of the electrolytic transformation of excesses of unused electric energy into hydrogen. The complexity of this technology requires the development of strategic optimization models aimed at finding the best locations for new PtG plants in specific territorial scenarios. This paper presents the development of a GIS-based optimization model that combines an operational research approach with territorial services based on geographic information system (GIS) data. The study is located in Sicily (Italy), considering the large renewable energy penetration in the larger Mediterranean island. The developed model allows us to find the best location for new PtG installations in the considered area by combining GIS automated processing with cost function resolution. The results of this work could be useful in the years to come in light of the rapid spread of hydrogen energy production in Italy
Gli artisti come attivisti per l’ambiente e attivatori del cambiamento sociale
No full textCon l’avvento del XXI secolo, anche nel dibattito attorno all’arte pubblica si sono fatte
largo l’emergenza climatica e la necessità di uno sviluppo sostenibile, come sancito ancora
nel 1987 dalla Commissione Bruntland delle Nazioni Unite nel rapporto Our common
future. La nuova consapevolezza di essere di fronte a una situazione dagli effetti catastrofici
sul clima e l’ambiente ha portato molti artisti pubblici ad attivarsi con urgenza in
favore di un atteggiamento sostenibile convinti che la sfida del cambiamento culturale sia
determinante per raggiungere la giustizia globale, l’etica ecologica e l’umanizzazione
dell’era industriale
Difendere la terra: coscienza ecologica nella Roma antica?
No full textDid the Romans have an ecological conscience? Reflection through ancient texts on the ecological thinking of the Roman
Sustainable production and consumption in remote working conditions due to COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: An environmental and user acceptance investigation
No full textIn response to the disruptive changes brought upon our society by the COVID-19 pandemic, most work activities and service providers had to resort to remote working. This is credited to reduce emissions for transportation, however the role of forced confinement within dwellings, especially if not designed for hosting working stations, deserves to be properly evaluated in terms of both user acceptance and long-term environmental impact. In this work, a dedicated survey campaign is used for investigating the potential pros and cons of remote working. In more detail, logistic regression and generalized linear models are used for capturing the effect of several independent variables on user acceptance of remote working. At a later stage, the main greenhouse gas emissions produced by each participant before and during remote working are assessed. According to the obtained results, the greater the distance between their home and workplace, the higher the acceptance score declared by the survey participants about remote working. Additionally, higher incomes and better-quality lifestyles with larger devotion to leisure activities also provide higher acceptance. Finally, the existence of a comfortable room to be used for work activities plays a crucial role on the declared acceptance. From an environmental point of view, remote working is always sustainable in case of long commuting distances (above 10 km) are avoided on a daily routine. In conclusion, a sensible use of remote working could reduce the environmental impact of any organization employing desk-workers as well as improve their work satisfaction and lifestyle
A review on life cycle assessment of concentrating solar energy technologies
Full text linkSolar energy technology is identified as one of the most important contributors to the decarbonization of the energy system and the economy, which requires the further development of these technologies with higher efficiency, and lower environmental impacts. The paper systematically reviews the energy and environmental impacts and costs of concentrating solar technologies, applying the life cycle approach. The concentrating solar technologies are described technically, which is followed by an analysis of life cycle assessment methods being currently applied in this context. The life cycle energy requirement, greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, other environmental impacts and costs of the technologies are reviewed by the types of technologies and the choice of assessment methods. The obtained findings show that the lower cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP) of concentrating solar power (CSP) and high concentrating solar photovoltaics in high solar radiation areas, while higher CED and GWP of CSP and concentrating solar thermal hybridized with fossil fuels. Furthermore, it is indicated through the dominance analysis that construction, material extraction and manufacturing are the largest contributors to the single endpoint impact. For specific midpoint impacts, the hotspot lies in manufacturing (for energy demand, material depletion and ecotoxicity), operation (for GWP) or both of these stages (for water consumption). Disregards of stages, the solar concentrator is the component causing the largest share of several midpoint impacts such as energy demand, GWP, material depletion and ecotoxicity. In term of costs, the levelized cost of energy from CSP system tends to decrease thanks to the reduction in solar concentrator cost, and the combination of CSP and PV brings the lowest cost with reduced GWP
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