Article
Energy & Fuels
Claudia Tomasini Montenegro, Jens F. Peters, Manuel Baumann, Zhirong Zhao-Karger, Christopher Wolter, Marcel Weil
Summary: Through a life cycle assessment, it was found that the initial prototype MgS battery cannot compete with current LIB in terms of energy density or environmental performance due to a high share of non-active components. However, if the MgS battery can achieve the assumed design goals and reach comparable lifespan, efficiency, cost, and safety levels to that of existing LIB, it has the potential to outperform both existing LIB and lithium-sulfur batteries.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hannes Bluhm, Swantje Gaehrs
Summary: The rise of decentralized renewable energies and digitalization has opened up new possibilities for providing system services for the energy transition. However, a comprehensive environmental assessment of virtual battery energy storage systems (VBES) is still lacking. This study uses life-cycle analysis to compare the environmental benefits and burdens of a PV battery storage unit in a German single-family household with and without participation in a VBES. The findings show that digitalization has a relatively low direct impact but can enable significant environmental benefits in terms of climate protection and other impact categories. The study concludes that battery owners should be encouraged to allow external access for system services and the necessary ICT roll out should be implemented in the short-to mid-term.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jon-Paul Sun, Courtney Calahoo, Colby Brown, Mary Anne White
Summary: The study found that pillow pouches have the lowest environmental impact among milk packaging options in Canada, regardless of location. This is mainly due to their lower mass per functional unit compared to jugs and cartons. Even if disposed in a landfill or incinerated, pillow pouches perform better across all impact categories compared to alternatives.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoqu Han, Yanxin Li, Lu Nie, Xiaofan Huang, Yelin Deng, Junjie Yan, Dimitrios-Sotirios Kourkoumpas, Sotirios Karellas
Summary: With the increasing integration of renewable energy sources into the power grid, the need for large-scale energy storage systems (ESSs) has become crucial. This study developed a cradle-to-grave life cycle analysis model to evaluate the environmental sustainability of prominent electrochemical energy storage technologies, including lithium iron phosphate batteries (LIPBs), nickel cobalt manganese oxide batteries (NCMBs), and vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of these ESSs were analyzed under different scenarios and their potential reduction in emissions was predicted. The results provide insights for optimizing environment, policy, and business models for large-scale energy storage in low-carbon power systems.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Simon Kaiser, Katharina Prontnicki, Stefan Bringezu
Summary: The utilization of CO2 with renewable energy and water presents a promising alternative in the chemical industry. Location differences play a significant role in determining environmental impacts and economic parameters, with a trade-off between climate footprint and other environmental impacts. Careful selection of production locations is necessary due to high variances in environmental and economic results.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yixuan Wang, Baojun Tang, Meng Shen, Yizhou Wu, Shen Qu, Yujie Hu, Ye Feng
Summary: This study conducts a bottom-up life cycle assessment of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to evaluate the environmental impact of different terminal disposal paths. The results show that the secondary application of retired LFP batteries can effectively reduce the environmental impact, especially for fossil fuel depletion. Additionally, recycling LFP batteries can save metal resources, while recycling lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NCM) batteries has greater environmental benefits.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maryori C. Diaz-Ramirez, Maria Blecua-de-Pedro, Alvaro J. Arnal, Jan Post
Summary: The Acid Base Flow Battery (AB-FB) technology stores electrical energy using pH and salinity differences in water, exhibiting better environmental and economic performance compared to other battery technologies. The efficiency losses during operation stage of AB-FB system contribute significantly to environmental burden. Additionally, the manufacturing stage of AB-FB system also plays a key role in total environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Steffen Bloemeke, Christian Scheller, Felipe Cerdas, Christian Thies, Rolf Hachenberger, Mark Gonter, Christoph Herrmann, Thomas S. Spengler
Summary: Electric vehicles with renewable energy are crucial in reducing carbon emissions. However, current lithium-ion batteries contain environmentally harmful, scarce, and expensive materials. Recycling these batteries can mitigate the environmental impact and address resource scarcity. The automotive industry needs effective processes for battery recycling.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Giuliana Vinci, Roberto Ruggieri, Marco Ruggeri, Sabrina Antonia Prencipe
Summary: Rice is a crucial crop in terms of human consumption, and assessing the sustainability of its production process is of great importance. This research investigates the recent literature on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of rice primary production to determine the extent to which Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and sustainability have been applied in the rice sector, as well as identify research gaps. The study reveals limited consideration of multiple functional units, methodological differences leading to result variability, and inadequate focus on socio-economic aspects.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaying Cui, Quanyin Tan, Lili Liu, Jinhui Li
Summary: This study evaluates the life cycle environmental impacts of second-life use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and finds that a component replacement rate of retired LIBs below 50% makes them worthy of repurposing. Reusing whole packs of retired LIBs is better than using only cells or modules due to the environmental loads from diagnosis, disassembly, replacement, and test processes. The battery energy density and performance degradation significantly affect the maximum return on the environmental input.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sergio Lopez, Ortzi Akizu-Gardoki, Erlantz Lizundia
Summary: Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have the potential to replace conventional batteries, with a comparative analysis showing that optimizing sulfur loadings in cathodes can significantly reduce environmental impacts, while controlling the amount of electrolyte can reduce specific impacts by up to 70%.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Ruixiong Li, Haoran Zhang, Hao Chen, Yan Zhang, Zhibo Li, Jing Zhao, Xuejun Wang, Huanran Wang
Summary: This study implemented an integrated hybrid life cycle optimization framework to propose feasible solutions for adiabatic compressed air energy storage system design in China, while also suggesting means to reduce lifecycle emissions and comparing installation impacts in different provinces.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mattia Mele, Giampaolo Campana, Giovanni Fumelli
Summary: Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF) is an advanced Additive Manufacturing technology that melts thermoplastics and deposits droplets layer-by-layer to build three-dimensional objects. The study shows that printer utilisation is the most significant factor for environmental impacts, and electrical consumption during 3D printing phase is crucial to human health and ecosystem quality.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huaping Xiao, Kai Li, Dongqing Zhang, Zhihua Tang, Xiaojun Niu, Linzi Yi, Zhang Lin, Mingli Fu
Summary: This study evaluates different management strategies for sewage sludge disposal based on their environmental, energy, and economic impact. The findings suggest that co-incineration in cement kiln is the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective option, while mono-incineration is the least favorable in terms of environmental impact, energy demand, and cost.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pooja Yadav, Dimitris Athanassiadis, Io Antonopoulou, Ulrika Rova, Paul Christakopoulos, Mats Tysklind, Leonidas Matsakas
Summary: The study focuses on life cycle and cost assessment of novel organosolv lignin production process from spruce bark, comparing different scenarios to identify the most environmentally and economically suitable option. Results show that the baseline scenario has higher global warming potential and total cost compared to other scenarios, with scenario S2 being the most optimal choice.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Florencio Santos, Antonio J. Fernandez Romero
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
L. Serrano-Lujan, C. Toledo, J. M. Colmenar, J. Abad, A. Urbina
Summary: This article presents an artificial intelligence-based approach for predicting the temperature of a photovoltaic module by considering both indoor and outdoor environmental factors. The results demonstrate the high accuracy of this method under different weather conditions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Romina Pedreschi, Excequel Ponce, Ignacia Hernandez, Claudia Fuentealba, Antonio Urbina, Jose J. Gonzalez-Fernandez, Jose I. Hormaza, David Campos, Rosana Chirinos, Encarna Aguayo
Summary: Consumption and trade of avocados are increasing globally, with Europe relying heavily on imports from Chile and Peru due to limited domestic production in Spain. Long-distance transport does not significantly affect the nutritional and functional compounds of avocados, as long as proper transportation conditions are maintained.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Antonio Urbina
Summary: This article analyzes the sustainability of the massive deployment of photovoltaic modules. Through a literature review and their own research, the authors conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) of different photovoltaic technologies and compared their environmental impacts to other electricity production methods. The results show that solar electricity has lower environmental impacts than fossil fuel electricity. The article also discusses the potential risks arising from mineral scarcity for certain photovoltaic technologies. The authors emphasize the importance of investing in recycling to improve the recovery ratio of minerals and components from PV module waste.
PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Javier Padilla, Carlos Toledo, Jose Abad
Summary: In this study, the symbiotic integration of photovoltaic systems into vineyard structures is proposed to reduce land intervention and costs, while minimizing the impact on crop production and quality. By analyzing shading patterns and PV energy generation using simulation and geographical information system data, grape trellises are identified as suitable for this concept. Vertical integration of PV surfaces over the vines allows for complete irradiation and minimal shadowing. Different module configurations have been evaluated, resulting in a range of installable capacity and confirming the viability of this agrivoltaic solution.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sebastian Lorca, Javier Torres, Jose L. Serrano, Jose Perez, Jose Abad, Florencio Santos, Antonio J. Fernandez Romero
Summary: A synthetic route involving thermal treatment of Ru co-ordination complexes was used to prepare RuO2-based materials with catalytic activity for ORR and OER reactions. Characterization confirmed the presence of Ru metal and RuP3O9 in the materials, with improved electrocatalytic performance obtained from calcinated RuCl2(PPh3)3. The catalysts were tested in all-solid and flooded alkaline Zn/air batteries, showing high specific discharge capacity and power density.
Article
Electrochemistry
Sebastian Lorca, Florencio Santos, Javier Padilla, J. J. Lopez Cascales, Antonio J. Fernandez Romero
Summary: This study tests and analyzes two different Zn-based batteries, demonstrating the advantages of using a three-electrode cell system compared to the traditional two-electrode system. The three-electrode cell allows for real-time monitoring of unexpected events during battery tests and enables immediate action. Additionally, Spectroscopic Impedance measurements are applied to analyze a specific case of the Zn/Bi2O3 battery.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eduardo Colom, Javier Hernandez-Ferrer, Alejandro Galan-Gonzalez, Alejandro Anson-Casaos, Mario Navarro-Rodriguez, Elisa Palacios-Lidon, Jaime Colchero, Javier Padilla, Antonio Urbina, Raul Arenal, Ana M. Benito, Wolfgang K. Maser
Summary: Nanoparticles of conjugated polymers in contact with graphene oxide sheets were prepared using a miniemulsion synthesis approach. This led to a unique conformation of the polymer chains and an unprecedented charge transfer between the two constituents. The resulting nanohybrid enabled direct and efficient charge extraction through the graphene oxide sheets.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Valentin Garcia-Caballero, Sebastian Lorca, Marta Villa-Moreno, Alvaro Caballero, Juan J. Giner-Casares, Antonio J. Fernandez-Romero, Manuel Cano
Summary: This study investigates the use of human hemoglobin (Hb) as a catalytic component in the air electrode of a primary zinc-air battery. Three different electrode modifications using Hb and Nafion were tested, and the Hb-Nafion modified electrode showed the best performance and long-term stability for oxygen electroreduction (ORR). The Hb-Nafion-based air electrode also provided higher specific capacity and discharge time compared to the Nafion-Hb modification.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Juan Amaro-Gahete, Valentin Garcia-Caballero, Almudena Benitez, Dolores G. Gil-Gavilan, Raul Rojas-Luna, Dolores Esquivel, Antonio J. Fernandez-Romero, Manuel Cano, Juan J. Giner-Casares, Francisco J. Romero-Salguero
Summary: The growing global electricity demand requires the development of cost-effective energy conversion and storage systems with inexpensive, eco-friendly, and high-efficiency catalysts. This study focuses on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is crucial for high-power density fuel cells and Zn-air batteries. The researchers have successfully developed a non-noble iron-nitrogen-carbon catalyst with excellent activity for ORR processes, providing a potential alternative to the expensive commercial Pt-C catalysts. The catalyst showed promising performance as an electrode in a flooded ZAB, outperforming the benchmark Pt-C electrocatalyst.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Clara Maximo-Gutierrez, Juan Hinojosa, Jose Abad-Lopez, Antonio Urbina-Yeregui, Alejandro Alvarez-Melcon
Summary: This paper presents a compact wideband bandpass filter using groove gap waveguide (GGW) technology. The structure includes metallic pins along the GGW bottom plate and achieves a bandpass response by combining the high-pass characteristic of GGW and the low-pass behavior of the metallic pins. The filter design technique allows for a reduction in manufacturing complexity and the realization of high-performance filters.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ana Franco, Jose Angel Salatti-Dorado, Valentin Garcia-Caballero, Sebastian Lorca, Luis Camacho, Manuel Cano, Antonio J. Fernandez-Romero, Juan J. Delgado, Juan J. Giner-Casares, Carolina Carrillo-Carrion
Summary: A new ultrathin and water-stable 2D Cu-based metal-organic framework has been synthesized with notable electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media, showing excellent performance in both alkaline flooded and all-solid-state Zn-air batteries.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
