Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Environmental and Energy Systems PDF Download

Author: Diego Iribarren
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039434500
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
The overall energy sector calls for a transformation from a fossil-based system to a low-carbon one. At a technology level, significant efforts have been made to provide energy solutions that contribute to a sustainable energy system. However, the actual suitability of these solutions is often not checked. In this sense, the assessment of energy systems from a life-cycle perspective is of paramount importance when it comes to effectively planning the energy sector. While environmental issues are commonly addressed through the use of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the comprehensive evaluation of the economic and social aspects of energy systems often remains ignored or underdeveloped. This book consists of a set of scientific works addressing the analysis of energy systems from a (life-cycle) technical, economic, environmental and/or social standpoint. Case studies at and beyond the technology level are included, some of them involving a combination of life cycle and non-life cycle approaches for the thorough evaluation of energy systems under the umbrella of sustainability.

Author: Fabrizio Passarini
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3036500804
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
The transition towards renewable energy sources and “green” technologies for energy generation and storage is expected to mitigate the climate emergency in the coming years. However, in many cases, this progress has been hampered by our dependency on critical materials or other resources that are often processed at high environmental burdens. Yet, many studies have shown that environmental and energy issues are strictly interconnected and require a comprehensive understanding of resource management strategies and their implications. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is among the most inclusive analytical techniques to analyze sustainability benefits and trade-offs within complex systems and, in this Special Issue, it is applied to assess the mutual influences of environmental and energy dimensions. The selection of original articles, reviews, and case studies addressed covers some of the main driving applications for energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions, including power generation, bioenergy, biorefinery, building, and transportation. An insightful perspective on the current topics and technologies, and emerging research needs, is provided. Alone or in combination with integrative methodologies, LCA can be of pivotal importance and constitute the scientific foundation on which a full system understanding can be reached.

Author: Ahmad Vasel
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030056368
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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Book Description
This book reveals key challenges to ensuring the secure and sustainable production and use of energy resources, and provides corresponding solutions. It discusses the latest advances in renewable energy generation, and includes studies on climate change and social sustainability. In turn, the book goes beyond theory and describes practical challenges and solutions associated with energy and sustainability. In particular, it addresses: · renewable energy conversion technologies; · transmission, storage and consumption; · green buildings and the green economy; and · waste and recycling. The book presents the current state of knowledge on renewable energy and sustainability, supported by detailed examples and case studies, making it not only a cutting-edge source of information for experts and researchers in the field, but also an educational tool for related undergraduate and graduate courses.

Author: Thomas Trabold
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128111585
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
Sustainable Food Waste-to-Energy Systems assesses the utilization of food waste in sustainable energy conversion systems. It explores all sources of waste generated in the food supply chain (downstream from agriculture), with coverage of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sources. It provides a detailed analysis of the conventional pathways for food waste disposal and utilization, including composting, incineration, landfilling and wastewater treatment. Next, users will find valuable sections on the chemical, biochemical and thermochemical waste-to-energy conversion processes applicable for food waste and an assessment of commercially available sustainable food waste-to-energy conversion technologies. Sustainability aspects, including consideration of environmental, economic and social impacts are also explored. The book concludes with an analysis of how deploying waste-to-energy systems is dependent on cross-cutting research methods, including geographical information systems and big data. It is a useful resource for professionals working in waste-to-energy technologies, as well as those in the food industry and food waste management sector planning and implementing these systems, but is also ideal for researchers, graduate students, energy policymakers and energy analysts interested in the most recent advances in the field. - Provides guidance on how specific food waste characteristics drive possible waste-to-energy conversion processes - Presents methodologies for selecting among different waste-to-energy options, based on waste volumes, distribution and properties, local energy demand (electrical/thermal/steam), opportunities for industrial symbiosis, regulations and incentives and social acceptance, etc. - Contains tools to assess potential environmental and economic performance of deployed systems - Links to publicly available resources on food waste data for energy conversion

Author: Adisa Azapagic
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780470856093
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 468

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Book Description
This groundbreaking text provides background theory on the concept of sustainable development (environmental, social and economic aspects) and presents a series of practical case studies on such topics as waste water management, air quality, solid waste management and renewable energy.

Author: Jane O. Ebinger
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 0821386980
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
"While the energy sector is a primary target of efforts to arrest and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and lower the carbon footprint of development, it is also expected to be increasingly affected by unavoidable climate consequences from the damage already induced in the biosphere. Energy services and resources, as well as seasonal demand, will be increasingly affected by changing trends, increasing variability, greater extremes and large inter-annual variations in climate parameters in some regions. All evidence suggests that adaptation is not an optional add-on but an essential reckoning on par with other business risks. Existing energy infrastructure, new infrastructure and future planning need to consider emerging climate conditions and impacts on design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Integrated risk-based planning processes will be critical to address the climate change impacts and harmonize actions within and across sectors. Also, awareness, knowledge, and capacity impede mainstreaming of climate adaptation into the energy sector. However, the formal knowledge base is still nascent?information needs are complex and to a certain extent regionally and sector specific. This report provides an up-to-date compendium of what is known about weather variability and projected climate trends and their impacts on energy service provision and demand. It discusses emerging practices and tools for managing these impacts and integrating climate considerations into planning processes and operational practices in an environment of uncertainty. It focuses on energy sector adaptation, rather than mitigation which is not discussed in this report. This report draws largely on available scientific and peer-reviewed literature in the public domain and takes the perspective of the developing world to the extent possible."

Author: Guillermo San Miguel
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3036505245
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
This Special Issue on “LCA of Energy Systems” contains inspiring contributions on assessing the sustainability of novel technologies destined to shape the future of our energy sector. These include battery-based and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, geothermal energy, hydropower, biomass gasification, national electricity systems, and waste incineration. The analysis of trends and singularities will be invaluable to product designers, engineers, and policy makers. Furthermore, these exercises also contribute to refining the life cycle framework and harmonizing methodological decisions. Our hope is that this should be a step toward promoting the use of science and knowledge to shape a better world for everyone.

Author: United Nations Development Programme
Publisher: UN
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description
The report discusses the linkages between energy and economic, social, environmental, and security issues, and analyses the contradictions between current patterns of use and objectives in these areas. The WEA also reviews energy resources and technology options from the point of view of sustainability including better end-use efficiency, greater reliance on renewable sources of energy, and next-generation nuclear and fossil-fuel technologies. Further, the report examines plausible scenarios for combining various options to achieve a sustainable and relatively prosperous future. The report concludes by examining policy options for producing and using energy in ways that are compatible with sustainable development.

Author: Jingzheng Ren
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030675297
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
This book presents various methods for sustainability assessment of energy systems, under various different conditions and scenarios. It answers the questions of how to measure the sustainability of energy systems by adopting appropriate metrics and methods. This book provides readers with a comprehensive view of the frontiers of sustainability assessment methods for energy system analysis. It presents various methodologies, allowing readers to understand: the complete metrics for sustainability assessment; life cycle thinking for sustainability assessment of energy systems; and the advanced sustainability assessment methods for energy systems. This book is of interest to researchers, engineers, decision makers, and postgraduate students within the field of energy systems, sustainability, and decision analysis.

Author: Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811645620
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (ELCA) that was developed about three decades ago demands a broadening of its scope to include lifecycle costing and social aspects of life cycle assessment as well, drawing on the three-pillar or ‘triple bottom line’ model of sustainability, which is the result of the development of the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). LCSA refers to the evaluation of all environmental, social and economic negative impacts and benefits in decision-making processes towards more sustainable products throughout their life cycle. Combination of environmental and social life cycle assessments along with life cycle costing leads to life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA). This book highlights various aspects of life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA).