IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v154y2015icp428-437.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Attributional life cycle assessment of mounted 1.8kWp monocrystalline photovoltaic system with batteries and comparison with fossil energy production system

Author

Listed:
  • Kabakian, V.
  • McManus, M.C.
  • Harajli, H.

Abstract

The use of renewable technologies will increase with the requirement to meet carbon reduction targets. However, this must be done in a sustainable manner. This paper compares the impact of the current Lebanese electricity system with production of electricity from PV. This is the first paper to look at how the addition of PV to this system, and explores the potential impact. As many electricity networks in the region suffer from similar issues and have similar climates this research will not only inform the Lebanese system, but can be used to influence and inform impacts of other systems. It evaluates the environmental impact, and therefore the actual sustainability, of a 1.8kWp monocrystalline Photovoltaic (PV) system with and without Lead-Acid batteries (PbA) compared to the existing centralised electricity production mix and decentralised diesel neighbourhood gensets. The analysis is rigorous as it is conducted using the methodology of life cycle assessment (LCA), using the SimaPro software (Ecoinvent 2.2 database) and ReCiPe 2008 method for impact assessment. The environmental impacts of the PV technology are compared to that of the existing fossil fuel electricity generation mix. Results, using the functional unit of 1kWh, indicate that the PV system, even when equipped with PbA batteries, has a lower environmental burden per delivered output compared to the Lebanese electricity mix, and even more so when decentralised diesel neighbourhood gensets are taken into account. The results of the analysis allows to calculate a series of parameters such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) (0.0402kg CO2eq/kWh and 0.0389kg CO2eq/kWh), Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) (4.41MJ/kWh and 4.39MJ/kWh), Gross Energy Requirement (GER) (1.23 and 1.22), Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT) (16.9years and 16.1years), Carbon Dioxide Pay-Back Time (CO2eqPBT) (3.52years and 3.21years), and Net Energy Ratio (NER) (1.48 and 1.55) for the PV system with and without PbA batteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kabakian, V. & McManus, M.C. & Harajli, H., 2015. "Attributional life cycle assessment of mounted 1.8kWp monocrystalline photovoltaic system with batteries and comparison with fossil energy production system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 428-437.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:428-437
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.125
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261915006042
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.125?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cantin, R. & Mourtada, A. & Guarracino, G. & Adra, N. & Nasser, M. & Maamari, F., 2007. "Scenarios of application of energy certification procedure for residential buildings in Lebanon," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 3167-3178, June.
    2. El-Fadel, M. & Chedid, R. & Zeinati, M. & Hmaidan, W., 2003. "Mitigating energy-related GHG emissions through renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 1257-1276.
    3. Albrecht, Johan, 2007. "The future role of photovoltaics: A learning curve versus portfolio perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 2296-2304, April.
    4. Rehman, Shafiqur & Al-Hadhrami, Luai M., 2010. "Study of a solar PV–diesel–battery hybrid power system for a remotely located population near Rafha, Saudi Arabia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 4986-4995.
    5. World Bank, 2008. "Lebanon : Electricity Sector Public Expenditure Review," World Bank Publications - Reports 7990, The World Bank Group.
    6. Sherwani, A.F. & Usmani, J.A. & Varun, 2010. "Life cycle assessment of solar PV based electricity generation systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 540-544, January.
    7. Gerbinet, Saïcha & Belboom, Sandra & Léonard, Angélique, 2014. "Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of photovoltaic panels: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 747-753.
    8. Desideri, Umberto & Proietti, Stefania & Zepparelli, Francesco & Sdringola, Paolo & Bini, Silvia, 2012. "Life Cycle Assessment of a ground-mounted 1778kWp photovoltaic plant and comparison with traditional energy production systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 930-943.
    9. El-Fadel, R.H. & Hammond, G.P. & Harajli, H.A. & Jones, C.I. & Kabakian, V.K. & Winnett, A.B., 2010. "The Lebanese electricity system in the context of sustainable development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 751-761, February.
    10. Dagher, Leila & Ruble, Isabella, 2010. "Challenges for CO2 mitigation in the Lebanese electric-power sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 912-918, February.
    11. Zhong, Z.W. & Song, B. & Loh, P.E., 2011. "LCAs of a polycrystalline photovoltaic module and a wind turbine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 2227-2237.
    12. World Bank, 2013. "Lebanon : Economic and Social Impact Assessment of the Syrian Conflict," World Bank Publications - Reports 16790, The World Bank Group.
    13. Alsema, E. A. & Nieuwlaar, E., 2000. "Energy viability of photovoltaic systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(14), pages 999-1010, November.
    14. Tiwari, Arvind & Barnwal, P. & Sandhu, G.S. & Sodha, M.S., 2009. "Energy metrics analysis of hybrid - photovoltaic (PV) modules," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(12), pages 2615-2625, December.
    15. Menoufi, Karim & Chemisana, Daniel & Rosell, Joan I., 2013. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Building Integrated Concentrated Photovoltaic scheme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 505-514.
    16. Durlinger, Bart & Reinders, Angèle & Toxopeus, Marten, 2012. "A comparative life cycle analysis of low power PV lighting products for rural areas in South East Asia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 96-104.
    17. Hamdan, H.A. & Ghajar, R.F. & Chedid, R.B., 2012. "A simulation model for reliability-based appraisal of an energy policy: The case of Lebanon," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 293-303.
    18. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing, 2013. "Review on life cycle assessment of energy payback and greenhouse gas emission of solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 255-274.
    19. Alsema, Erik, 1998. "Energy requirements of thin-film solar cell modules--a review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 2(4), pages 387-415, December.
    20. Sharma, Rakhi & Tiwari, G.N., 2013. "Life cycle assessment of stand-alone photovoltaic (SAPV) system under on-field conditions of New Delhi, India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 272-282.
    21. McManus, M.C., 2012. "Environmental consequences of the use of batteries in low carbon systems: The impact of battery production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 288-295.
    22. Desideri, U. & Zepparelli, F. & Morettini, V. & Garroni, E., 2013. "Comparative analysis of concentrating solar power and photovoltaic technologies: Technical and environmental evaluations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 765-784.
    23. Chaaban, F B & Rahman, Saifur, 1998. "Baseline energy and electricity consumptions in Lebanon and opportunities for conservation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 487-493, May.
    24. Pehnt, Martin, 2006. "Dynamic life cycle assessment (LCA) of renewable energy technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 55-71.
    25. Heller, Martin C & Keoleian, Gregory A & Mann, Margaret K & Volk, Timothy A, 2004. "Life cycle energy and environmental benefits of generating electricity from willow biomass," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(7), pages 1023-1042.
    26. Battisti, Riccardo & Corrado, Annalisa, 2005. "Evaluation of technical improvements of photovoltaic systems through life cycle assessment methodology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(7), pages 952-967.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ravikumar, Dwarakanath & Wender, Ben & Seager, Thomas P. & Fraser, Matthew P. & Tao, Meng, 2017. "A climate rationale for research and development on photovoltaics manufacture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 245-256.
    2. Wang, Lunche & Qiu, Tianzhi & Zhang, Ming & Cao, Qian & Qin, Wenmin & Wang, Shaoqiang & Wang, Lizhe & Chen, Deliang & Wild, Martin, 2024. "Carbon emissions and reduction performance of photovoltaic systems in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    3. Nadia Belmonte & Carlo Luetto & Stefano Staulo & Paola Rizzi & Marcello Baricco, 2017. "Case Studies of Energy Storage with Fuel Cells and Batteries for Stationary and Mobile Applications," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Hahn Menacho, A.J. & Rodrigues, J.F.D. & Behrens, P., 2022. "A triple bottom line assessment of concentrated solar power generation in China and Europe 2020–2050," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Nikolett Éva Kiss & János Tamás & Nikolett Szőllősi & Edit Gorliczay & Attila Nagy, 2021. "Assessment of Composted Pelletized Poultry Litter as an Alternative to Chemical Fertilizers Based on the Environmental Impact of Their Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, November.
    6. Vahakn Kabakian & Marcelle McManus, 2024. "From private to social cost-benefit analysis: life cycle environmental impact cost internalization in cement production fuel switching," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(10), pages 25527-25548, October.
    7. Harajli, H. & Kabakian, V. & El-Baba, J. & Diab, A. & Nassab, C., 2020. "Commercial-scale hybrid solar photovoltaic - diesel systems in select Arab countries with weak grids: An integrated appraisal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Mahmud, M. A. Parvez & Huda, Nazmul & Farjana, Shahjadi Hisan & Lang, Candace, 2019. "A strategic impact assessment of hydropower plants in alpine and non-alpine areas of Europe," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 198-214.
    9. Troy, Stefanie & Schreiber, Andrea & Reppert, Thorsten & Gehrke, Hans-Gregor & Finsterbusch, Martin & Uhlenbruck, Sven & Stenzel, Peter, 2016. "Life Cycle Assessment and resource analysis of all-solid-state batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 757-767.
    10. Campos-Guzmán, Verónica & García-Cáscales, M. Socorro & Espinosa, Nieves & Urbina, Antonio, 2019. "Life Cycle Analysis with Multi-Criteria Decision Making: A review of approaches for the sustainability evaluation of renewable energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 343-366.
    11. Mahmud, M.A. Parvez & Huda, Nazmul & Farjana, Shahjadi Hisan & Lang, Candace, 2020. "Life-cycle impact assessment of renewable electricity generation systems in the United States," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 1028-1045.
    12. Miller, Ian & Gençer, Emre & Vogelbaum, Hilary S. & Brown, Patrick R. & Torkamani, Sarah & O'Sullivan, Francis M., 2019. "Parametric modeling of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from photovoltaic power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 760-774.
    13. Comodi, Gabriele & Bevilacqua, Maurizio & Caresana, Flavio & Paciarotti, Claudia & Pelagalli, Leonardo & Venella, Paola, 2016. "Life cycle assessment and energy-CO2-economic payback analyses of renewable domestic hot water systems with unglazed and glazed solar thermal panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 944-955.
    14. Bahlawan, Hilal & Morini, Mirko & Pinelli, Michele & Poganietz, Witold-Roger & Spina, Pier Ruggero & Venturini, Mauro, 2019. "Optimization of a hybrid energy plant by integrating the cumulative energy demand," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    15. Li, Guiqiang & Xuan, Qingdong & Pei, Gang & Su, Yuehong & Lu, Yashun & Ji, Jie, 2018. "Life-cycle assessment of a low-concentration PV module for building south wall integration in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 174-185.
    16. Koppelaar, R.H.E.M., 2017. "Solar-PV energy payback and net energy: Meta-assessment of study quality, reproducibility, and results harmonization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1241-1255.
    17. Kourkoumpas, Dimitrios-Sotirios & Benekos, Georgios & Nikolopoulos, Nikolaos & Karellas, Sotirios & Grammelis, Panagiotis & Kakaras, Emmanouel, 2018. "A review of key environmental and energy performance indicators for the case of renewable energy systems when integrated with storage solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 380-398.
    18. Chatzisideris, Marios D. & Ohms, Pernille K. & Espinosa, Nieves & Krebs, Frederik C. & Laurent, Alexis, 2019. "Economic and environmental performances of organic photovoltaics with battery storage for residential self-consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    19. Susan Isaya Sun & Andrew Frederick Crossland & Andrew John Chipperfield & Richard George Andrew Wills, 2019. "An Emissions Arbitrage Algorithm to Improve the Environmental Performance of Domestic PV-Battery Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, February.
    20. Ortega-Arriaga, P. & Babacan, O. & Nelson, J. & Gambhir, A., 2021. "Grid versus off-grid electricity access options: A review on the economic and environmental impacts," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    21. Federico Rossi & Maria Laura Parisi & Sarah Greven & Riccardo Basosi & Adalgisa Sinicropi, 2020. "Life Cycle Assessment of Classic and Innovative Batteries for Solar Home Systems in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, July.
    22. Faleh, Nahla & Khila, Zouhour & Wahada, Zeineb & Pons, Marie-Noëlle & Houas, Ammar & Hajjaji, Noureddine, 2018. "Exergo-environmental life cycle assessment of biodiesel production from mutton tallow transesterification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 74-83.
    23. Yu, Zhiqiang & Ma, Wenhui & Xie, Keqiang & Lv, Guoqiang & Chen, Zhengjie & Wu, Jijun & Yu, Jie, 2017. "Life cycle assessment of grid-connected power generation from metallurgical route multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic system in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 68-81.
    24. Aberilla, Jhud Mikhail & Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro & Stamford, Laurence & Azapagic, Adisa, 2020. "Design and environmental sustainability assessment of small-scale off-grid energy systems for remote rural communities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    25. Myriam Mansour & Hassan Harajli & Henri El Zakhem & Rima Manneh, 2024. "Cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of a photovoltaic–diesel hybrid system: the case of an industrial facility," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 17353-17381, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ludin, Norasikin Ahmad & Mustafa, Nur Ifthitah & Hanafiah, Marlia M. & Ibrahim, Mohd Adib & Asri Mat Teridi, Mohd & Sepeai, Suhaila & Zaharim, Azami & Sopian, Kamaruzzaman, 2018. "Prospects of life cycle assessment of renewable energy from solar photovoltaic technologies: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 11-28.
    2. Gerbinet, Saïcha & Belboom, Sandra & Léonard, Angélique, 2014. "Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of photovoltaic panels: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 747-753.
    3. Dagher, Leila & Ruble, Isabella, 2011. "Modeling Lebanon’s electricity sector: Alternative scenarios and their implications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4315-4326.
    4. Bany Mousa, Osama & Kara, Sami & Taylor, Robert A., 2019. "Comparative energy and greenhouse gas assessment of industrial rooftop-integrated PV and solar thermal collectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 113-123.
    5. Ibrahim, Oussama & Fardoun, Farouk & Younes, Rafic & Louahlia-Gualous, Hasna, 2013. "Energy status in Lebanon and electricity generation reform plan based on cost and pollution optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 255-278.
    6. Ruble, Isabella & Nader, Pamela, 2011. "Transforming shortcomings into opportunities: Can market incentives solve Lebanon's energy crisis?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2467-2474, May.
    7. Ravikumar, Dwarakanath & Wender, Ben & Seager, Thomas P. & Fraser, Matthew P. & Tao, Meng, 2017. "A climate rationale for research and development on photovoltaics manufacture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 245-256.
    8. Turconi, Roberto & Boldrin, Alessio & Astrup, Thomas, 2013. "Life cycle assessment (LCA) of electricity generation technologies: Overview, comparability and limitations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 555-565.
    9. Riccardo Basosi & Roberto Bonciani & Dario Frosali & Giampaolo Manfrida & Maria Laura Parisi & Franco Sansone, 2020. "Life Cycle Analysis of a Geothermal Power Plant: Comparison of the Environmental Performance with Other Renewable Energy Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-29, April.
    10. Sica, Daniela & Malandrino, Ornella & Supino, Stefania & Testa, Mario & Lucchetti, Maria Claudia, 2018. "Management of end-of-life photovoltaic panels as a step towards a circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2934-2945.
    11. Muath Bani Salim & Dervis Emre Demirocak & Nael Barakat, 2018. "A Fuzzy Based Model for Standardized Sustainability Assessment of Photovoltaic Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    12. Aman, M.M. & Solangi, K.H. & Hossain, M.S. & Badarudin, A. & Jasmon, G.B. & Mokhlis, H. & Bakar, A.H.A. & Kazi, S.N, 2015. "A review of Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) issues of solar energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1190-1204.
    13. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing, 2013. "Review on life cycle assessment of energy payback and greenhouse gas emission of solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 255-274.
    14. Magrassi, Fabio & Rocco, Elena & Barberis, Stefano & Gallo, Michela & Del Borghi, Adriana, 2019. "Hybrid solar power system versus photovoltaic plant: A comparative analysis through a life cycle approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 290-304.
    15. Lamnatou, Chr. & Chemisana, D., 2017. "Concentrating solar systems: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 916-932.
    16. Yu, Zhiqiang & Ma, Wenhui & Xie, Keqiang & Lv, Guoqiang & Chen, Zhengjie & Wu, Jijun & Yu, Jie, 2017. "Life cycle assessment of grid-connected power generation from metallurgical route multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic system in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 68-81.
    17. Nugent, Daniel & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2014. "Assessing the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from solar PV and wind energy: A critical meta-survey," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 229-244.
    18. Harajli, H. & Kabakian, V. & El-Baba, J. & Diab, A. & Nassab, C., 2020. "Commercial-scale hybrid solar photovoltaic - diesel systems in select Arab countries with weak grids: An integrated appraisal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    19. Pinto, Mauricio Almeida & Frate, Cláudio Albuquerque & Rodrigues, Thiago Oliveira & Caldeira-Pires, Armando, 2020. "Sensitivity analysis of the carbon payback time for a Brazilian photovoltaic power plant," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    20. Carnevale, E. & Lombardi, L. & Zanchi, L., 2014. "Life Cycle Assessment of solar energy systems: Comparison of photovoltaic and water thermal heater at domestic scale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 434-446.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:154:y:2015:i:c:p:428-437. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.