to adapt the assessment specifically to the product design, without requiring any
additional hypothesis or settings than the product material composition [7].
The usage of products is frequently modelled by average scenarios of use in
LCAs. One challenge of the modelling is the data availability to model the specific
scenario of each case of use. The modelling needs to collect several data can be
expensive and time consuming to collect a lot of specific data to improve the
modelling of the use phase. The case study of the work from Heslouin et al. is a
truck refrigeration unit for which the most impactful phase is the use phase. The
energy consumption depends on good and bad practice of use [8].
In the framework of the European collaborative project LAWIN, a transparent
heat transfer fluid is integrated in a newly designed glass module to make use of
temperature differences for energy generation. This energy shall be used directly for
heating or cooling processes in the building. Optimization of the overall concept
ensures that additional costs in the manufacturing phase and thus, the selling price,
are kept in the range of established window or façade elements in order to ensure a
quick and broad acceptance of the product building. Selected outcomes of this
anticipatory evaluation comparing, e.g., different positions of the LAWIN module
in windows or facades, its application as collector or as heat exchanger for heat
pumps, or its use for heating or cooling show a strong dependence from the regional
location in the use phase [10].
4 Future Perspectives in Light of the Presentations
The industrialized and densely populated Eastern parts of China around the provinces Hebei and Shandong and the municipalities Beijing, Tianjin, and Shandong
heavily suffer from PM emissions. Despite recent efforts in the introduction of strict
emission limits, further upgrade of flue gas treatment in power plants is necessary to
reduce health issues. The closure of inefficient power plants, fuel replacement and
relocation of emissions are promising options for improvement [1].
The assessment of the results for the different regions in China and India proved
that there are indeed big differences in environmental impacts of energy production.
Therefore, further discussion can be thus initiated whether more regions should be
sub-divided or whether there is a tipping point at which further detail will not bring
any additional value [2].
In order to make a comprehensive study and be able to identify hotspots with
lower uncertainty, it is recommended that LCA practitioners performing LCA on
PV systems consider the entire PV life cycle, including the BOS, and all relevant
impact categories. In that way ecodesign opportunities can be identified without
risking potential shifting of environmental burden from one part of the life cycle to
another or from one impact category to another [3].
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N. Espinosa and Y. J. Suh
additional hypothesis or settings than the product material composition [7].
The usage of products is frequently modelled by average scenarios of use in
LCAs. One challenge of the modelling is the data availability to model the specific
scenario of each case of use. The modelling needs to collect several data can be
expensive and time consuming to collect a lot of specific data to improve the
modelling of the use phase. The case study of the work from Heslouin et al. is a
truck refrigeration unit for which the most impactful phase is the use phase. The
energy consumption depends on good and bad practice of use [8].
In the framework of the European collaborative project LAWIN, a transparent
heat transfer fluid is integrated in a newly designed glass module to make use of
temperature differences for energy generation. This energy shall be used directly for
heating or cooling processes in the building. Optimization of the overall concept
ensures that additional costs in the manufacturing phase and thus, the selling price,
are kept in the range of established window or façade elements in order to ensure a
quick and broad acceptance of the product building. Selected outcomes of this
anticipatory evaluation comparing, e.g., different positions of the LAWIN module
in windows or facades, its application as collector or as heat exchanger for heat
pumps, or its use for heating or cooling show a strong dependence from the regional
location in the use phase [10].
4 Future Perspectives in Light of the Presentations
The industrialized and densely populated Eastern parts of China around the provinces Hebei and Shandong and the municipalities Beijing, Tianjin, and Shandong
heavily suffer from PM emissions. Despite recent efforts in the introduction of strict
emission limits, further upgrade of flue gas treatment in power plants is necessary to
reduce health issues. The closure of inefficient power plants, fuel replacement and
relocation of emissions are promising options for improvement [1].
The assessment of the results for the different regions in China and India proved
that there are indeed big differences in environmental impacts of energy production.
Therefore, further discussion can be thus initiated whether more regions should be
sub-divided or whether there is a tipping point at which further detail will not bring
any additional value [2].
In order to make a comprehensive study and be able to identify hotspots with
lower uncertainty, it is recommended that LCA practitioners performing LCA on
PV systems consider the entire PV life cycle, including the BOS, and all relevant
impact categories. In that way ecodesign opportunities can be identified without
risking potential shifting of environmental burden from one part of the life cycle to
another or from one impact category to another [3].
228
N. Espinosa and Y. J. Suh