Concentrating solar systems: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental issues. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamnatou, Chr.; Chemisana, D.
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 78(2017)
• Page Start: 916
• Page End: 932
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: BA Building-added -- BI Building-integrated -- BICPV Building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic -- BOS Balance of system -- CED Cumulative energy demand method -- CML CML method -- CO2.eq CO2.equivalent -- CPV Concentrating photovoltaic -- CPVT Concentrating photovoltaic/thermal -- CR Concentration ratio -- c-Si Crystalline-silicon -- CSP Concentrating solar power -- DALY Disability adjusted life years -- Ecological footprint Ecological footprint method -- EI99 PBT Eco-indicator 99 payback time -- EI99 Eco-indicator 99 method -- EPBT Energy payback time -- EPD Environmental product declaration method -- EPS 2000 EPS 2000 method -- EVA Ethylene vinyl acetate -- GHG Greenhouse-gas -- GPBT Greenhouse-gas payback time -- GWP Global warming potential -- IMPACT 2002+ IMPACT 2002+ method -- IPCC Intergovernmental panel on climate change -- LCA Life cycle assessment -- LCA-NETS LCA-NETS method -- LCI Life cycle inventory -- LCIA Life cycle impact assessment -- LSC Luminescent solar concentrator -- NIR Near-infrared -- PBT Payback time -- PCM Phase change material -- PMMA Polymethylmetacrylate -- PV Photovoltaic -- PVB Polyvinyl butyral -- PVT Photovoltaic/thermal -- PVT/air PVT system with air as working fluid -- QD Quantum dots -- ReCiPe PBT ReCiPe payback time -- ReCiPe ReCiPe method -- SOG Silicone-on-glass -- USEtox USEtox method -- UV Ultraviolet; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) -- Environmental issues -- CO2.eq emissions -- EPBT (energy payback time) -- Concentrating solar systems -- Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) -- Concentrating Solar Power (CSP); Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.04.065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: The present article is a critical literature review about studies which are based on LCA (life cycle assessment) and about studies which include environmental issues about concentrating solar systems (concentrating photovoltaic (CPV), concentrating solar power (CSP), etc.). The results reveal that CPV environmental profile depends on several factors such as the materials of the concentrator and the direct solar radiation. On the other hand, there are different factors which influence CSP profile (from environmental point of view), including water use and materials e.g. for storage. By considering the literature review presented it can be noted that: 1) Regarding CPV, there is a need for more studies which investigate different concentration ratios, CPVT (concentrating photovoltaic/thermal) systems, low-concentration CPV, strategies to reduce the impact of certain components such as the tracking (especially for large-scale applications) and the concentrators, 2) Concerning CSP, there is a need for more investigations about dish-Stirling, storage materials, strategies for water savings, soiling effect, 3) In general, regarding concentrating solar systems, there is a need for more studies with Fresnel lenses and reflectors, for small-scale systems for buildings and for multiple final applications (desalination, drying, etc.), 4) With respect to the adopted methods/environmental indicators, certainly CO2.eq emissions, embodied energy and EPBT (energy payback time) can provide useful information for concentrating solar systems; nevertheless, there is a need for utilization of additional methods (e.g. based on midpoint, endpoint approaches) which can also offer useful information.