In this paper, we discuss practical challenges in ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) of emerging technologies, i.e., barriers to hands-on implementation, as opposed to the conceptual challenges that recent contributions to the literature have been focusing on (see Giesen et al., 2020; Thonemann et al., 2020; Villares et al., 2017). We will illustrate the discussion with the case of emerging photovoltaics (PV), namely multijunction III-V/silicon tandem cell (III-V/Si). This case application helps structure the ex-ante LCA exercise and highlights the challenges of applying LCA early on in technology development, while providing sufficient general elements that apply to other emerging technologies.
Written from the perspective of LCA analysts, the paper is organized around the LCA method. LCAs can be conducted at various stages of a technology development process, requiring different types of information at the various stages. By illustrating with the case study of...
Show moreIn this paper, we discuss practical challenges in ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) of emerging technologies, i.e., barriers to hands-on implementation, as opposed to the conceptual challenges that recent contributions to the literature have been focusing on (see Giesen et al., 2020; Thonemann et al., 2020; Villares et al., 2017). We will illustrate the discussion with the case of emerging photovoltaics (PV), namely multijunction III-V/silicon tandem cell (III-V/Si). This case application helps structure the ex-ante LCA exercise and highlights the challenges of applying LCA early on in technology development, while providing sufficient general elements that apply to other emerging technologies.
Written from the perspective of LCA analysts, the paper is organized around the LCA method. LCAs can be conducted at various stages of a technology development process, requiring different types of information at the various stages. By illustrating with the case study of emerging photovoltaics, the paper explores the importance of product performance optimization during technological development, and how it is directly linked to environmental performance during the use phase. It also demonstrates how the design and manufacturing choices that technology developers are confronted with can greatly influence environmental performance over the future product’s life cycle. The approach that emerges is one in which the LCA method remains flexible throughout the technology development process to accommodate its dynamic nature and the numerous uncertainties inherent in it.
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