Concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system with thermal and electricity storage: CO2.eq emissions and multiple environmental indicators

Abstract

The present article examines the environmental profile of a concentrating photovoltaic/thermal system with thermal and electricity storage. The system has been developed and experimentally tested at the University of Corsica, in France, and it combines non-concentrating photovoltaic modules with concentrating solar thermal. The study is based on life-cycle assessment according to global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, ReCiPe, Ecological footprint and USEtox. The results (phase of material manufacturing; scenario «without recycling») demonstrate that based on global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, most of the midpoint categories of ReCiPe, ReCiPe endpoint single-score, ReCiPe endpoint with characterization, Ecological footprint single-score (category of Carbon dioxide) and USEtox (category of Human toxicity/cancer), the aluminium support structure shows higher impact in comparison to the other components/materials of the system. Furthermore, the material manufacturing phase (scenario «without recycling») reveals that, in certain cases, the photovoltaic cells and the copper-based components present high impacts. More analytically, according to ReCiPe endpoint with characterization (scenario «without recycling»), the aluminium-based components (support structure; *Revised Manuscript-Clean Version Click here to view linked References receiver) present the highest DALY (disability-adjusted life years) and (species.yr) with total values of 0.015 DALY and 4.9×10-5 (species.yr). Regarding USEtox Ecotoxicity, the Noryl (for the pumps) shows an impact of 62.5 CTU e that is considerably higher in comparison to the other components/materials of the system. The effect of recycling (metals; glass; plastics) has been examined and the results show that, by adopting recycling, energy payback time is reduced from 1.6 to 0.6 years and ReCiPe payback time is reduced from 17 to 8.4 years.

Storage systems for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) and building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) installations: Environmental profile and other aspects

“…Kalogirou et al (2014) noted that, in certain cases, on-grid PV systems do not need battery storage and, in addition to this, there is the advantage of higher electricity rates that can be achieved by selling the electricity generated to the grid. However, in the case of off-grid PV (or PVT) systems, batteries play a pivotal role (Lamnatou et al, 2018a). In general, the use of battery storage in residential PVs, offers flexibility because the excess energy output of the PV panels can be stored and supplied during time periods of low or zero solarenergy availability (Oliva et al, 2019).…”

“…The volumes of the tanks are as follows: 300 L and 600 L. The impacts that were calculated range from 5.9 to 11.7 GJ prim and from 0.3 to 1.0 t CO 2.eq , depending on the scenario. Finally, it should be noted that, in the frame of LCA of solar systems for buildings, for the evaluation of the environmental impact of a water storage tank, the materials/components that could be taken into account are as follows: Copper heat exchanger, stainless steel, polyurethane foam or rock wool, plastics (Lamnatou et al, 2018a(Lamnatou et al, , 2019. In terms of water-storage-tank replacement during the phase of usage, for a domestic solar system with a lifespan of 20-30 years, one replacement of the tank could be assumed (Lamnatou et al, 2019).…”

Experimental investigation of an Air Source Heat Pump

“…Hybrid systems are most frequent subjected to high complexity. Global energy consumption is increasing yearly and climate change being a consequence [1][2][3][4].…”

Comparative Study on the Environmental Impact of Traditional Clay Bricks Mixed with Organic Waste Using Life Cycle Analysis

“…A smaller impact on human health results from the reduction of environmental impacts in the processes of extraction and use of resources, the reduction in energy consumption and consequently, a reduction in the emission of CO 2 into the atmosphere [28].…”