The energy requirements for the production of photovoltaic (PV) panel and balance of system components are analyzed in order to evaluate the energy payback time and CO 2 emissions of a 1.2 PV roof top system in Brazil. The single crystalline panel technology is investigated by using life cycle assessment methodology. It considers mass and energy flows over the whole production process, starting from metallurgical silicon production to the electric generation. Assuming seven different national geographic conditions, cumulative energy demand (CED), energy yield, energy payback time (EPBT) and CO 2 emissions rates are calculated. As result it is found that the EPBT is 2.47-3.13 years and CO 2 emissions rate is 14.54-18.68 g de CO 2 eq/kWh for present day roof-top mounted installations.
No presente trabalho, o desempenho energético e ambiental de potencias rotas de produção de hidrogênio-gaseificação da biomassa via leito fixo (LFX) e leito fluidizado (LFL) e de energia solar fotovoltaica-foram estudados com base na metodologia de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Após a revisão da literatura e a descrição dos procedimentos de análise, os resultados da ACV são apresentados e discutidos em termos de Demanda Acumulada de Energia (CED), Tempo de Retorno de Investimento em Energia (EPBT) e danos relacionados à Saúde Humana (SH), Qualidade do Ecossistema (QE) e Recursos Minerais e Combustíveis Fósseis (RMCF). No cômputo geral, o LFL é mais favorável para a produção de hidrogênio, embora os dois sistemas de gaseificação apresentem desempenho energético e ambiental similares. Comparativamente, o sistema fotovoltaico apresenta um EPBT maior (4,55 anos) do que os encontrados nos dois sistemas de conversão da biomassa (1,65 anos no LFL e 1,77 anos no LFX). Por outro lado, o sistema de energia solar fotovoltaico é o mais ambientalmente recomendável para a produção de hidrogênio, tendo em vista a menor contribuição em relação aos danos majoritários (saúde humana). Dentro do escopo do estudo, os sistemas avaliados apresentam mais características de complementaridade do que competição. Neste caso, enfatiza-se a importância de uma análise dos fatores econômicos e sociais pertinentes a cada país ou região, bem como dos processos posteriores de reforma e/ou purificação e eletrólise da água, considerando também o seu inteiro ciclo de vida. Palavras chaves: avaliação do ciclo de vida, hidrogênio, sistemas de gaseificação, energia solar fotovoltaica, desempenho energético e ambiental.
The energy is the fuel of growth and an essential requirement for the socioeconomic development. However, the current production model is based on fossil fuels, considered as threat to man and nature. As for, the relating to the human activities and their effects on the environment, they are handled by the implementation of a more rigid model of environmental control and the mobilization of the society in favor of technologies with less energy impact. In view of this scenario, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell-PEMFC has been recognized as a key for the vital need of a clean and efficient energy. Considering the conventional power generation system, their advantages during usage configure its application as an ideal option for several utilities, especially in the mobile sector. Even though, the focus on several environmental evaluations in energy systems is referred back to the initial stage of it use, the employment relating to production of the system and to final destination should be considered, since these also present impacts. In the case of PEMFC, their previous and subsequent phases of use are issues related to the platinum catalysts, which indicates an environmental importance that cannot be overlooked. In this sense, the Life Cycle Assessment has been used to understand and to question the risks and opportunities that are associated to certain product, starting from a systemic concept of their relationships with the environment. It is precisely in this context that the present research intends to present its major contribution, starting from an exploratory study towards the its objectives to provide an environmental analysis of such technology linked to post stage of powder-use of the membrane electrode assembly-MEA, concerning the platinum catalysts, on the subject of Life Cycle Assessment-LCA. To attain such aim, the relationships between energy, environment and development are presented and discussed, as well as, the Fuel Cell technology and the current studies on LCA of PEMFC. Several questions raised up on this issues have conthbuted in the development of a method of recuperating the PEMFC catalysts and, particularly, for its subsequent environmental evaluation. Among significant results are the importance of LCA, out lined as useful tool for perceiving the weight of environmental matters concerning the platinum and its subsidy strategies relating to the development, consolidation and to the innovation of PEMFC.
The focus of this paper is on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of hydrogen production, via natural gas reforming, in order to examine its potential environmental consequences. LCA is a systematic set of procedures for calculating the environmental impact of a product or service through all stages of its life cycle. The analysis has been carried out considering engineering data obtained from a hydrogen plant demonstration project in Brazil. The size of this plant was set at 1.15E04 kg/year. An inventory was provided for the manufacturing, transport, and installation phases, as well as hydrogen production and equipment maintenance. The cumulative energy demand to produce 120 MJ of hydrogen was estimated at 1.82 E02MJ and the greenhouse gas emissions were at 1.59 kg CO 2 eq. The following categories of impact were analyzed: acidification, global warming potential, eutrophication and ozone depletion. Results allow identifying the major potential impacts of the system components across the different categories and the data uncertainty associated with life cycle assessment impact characterization.
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