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... 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. Show less
A framework for prospective/ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) and ecological risk assessment (ERA) of emerging technologies is developed and applied to a case study of III-V/silicon photovoltaic... Show moreA framework for prospective/ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) and ecological risk assessment (ERA) of emerging technologies is developed and applied to a case study of III-V/silicon photovoltaic panels. Show less
Oers, L.F.C.M. van; Guinée, J.B.; Heijungs, R. 2020
Purpose In 1995, the original method for assessing the impact category abiotic resource depletion using abiotic depletion potentials (ADPs) was published. The ADP of a resource was defined as the... Show morePurpose In 1995, the original method for assessing the impact category abiotic resource depletion using abiotic depletion potentials (ADPs) was published. The ADP of a resource was defined as the ratio of the annual production and the square of the ultimate (crustal content based) reserve for the resource divided by the same ratio for a reference resource (antimony (Sb)). In 2002, ADPs were updated based on the most recent USGS annual production data. In addition, the impact category was sub-divided into two categories, using two sets of ADPs: the ADP for fossil fuels and the ADP for elements; in this article, we focus on the ADP for elements. Since then, ADP values have not been updated anymore despite the availability of updates of annual production data and also updates of crustal content data that constitute the basis of the ultimate reserves. Moreover, it was known that the coverage of elements by ADPs was incomplete. These three aspects together can affect relative ranking of abiotic resources based on the ADP. Furthermore, dealing with annually changing production data might have to be revisited by proposing new calculation procedures. Finally, category totals to calculate normalized indicator results have to be updated as well, because incomplete coverage of elements can lead to biased results. Methods We used updated reserve estimates and time series of production data from authoritative sources to calculate ADPs for different years. We also explored the use of several variations: moving averages and cumulative production data. We analyzed the patterns in ADP over time and the contribution by different elements in the category total. Furthermore, two case studies are carried out applying two different normalization reference areas (the EU 27 as normalization reference area and the world) for 2010. Results and discussion We present the results of the data updates and improved coverage. On top of this, new calculation procedures are proposed for ADPs, dealing with the annually changing production data. The case studies show that the improvements of data and calculation procedures will change the normalized indicator results of many case studies considerably, making ADP less sensitive for fluctuating production data in the future. Conclusions The update of ultimate reserve and production data and the revision of calculation procedures of ADPs and category totals have resulted in an improved, up-to-date, and more complete set of ADPs and a category total that better reflects the total resource depletion magnitude than before. An ADP based on the cumulative production overall years is most in line with the intent of the original ADP method. We further recommend to only use category totals based on production data for the same year as is used for the other (emission-based) impact categories. Show less
Oers, L.F.C.M. van; Guinée, J.B.; Heijungs, R. 2019
This dissertation is the culmination of over four years research on the rare earth element neodymium in the context of the 2010 REE crisis. Neodymium is a generally recognized ‘critical’... Show more This dissertation is the culmination of over four years research on the rare earth element neodymium in the context of the 2010 REE crisis. Neodymium is a generally recognized ‘critical’ material with a relevant application in the form of NdFeB magnets, both for sustainable energy technologies as well as the wider economy. This dissertation answers four main research questions: 1. What are the material flows of neodymium for NdFeB magnets, and how much can be made available for recycling? 2. What are the environmental burdens of NdFeB production, and how does recycling alleviate this burden? 3. What type of mechanisms along the NdFeB supply chain provide resilience in response to supply constraints and disruptions 4. Of all the possible resilience mechanisms, which played the largest role in the aftermath of the 2010 REE crisis? Besides directly answering the research question, this dissertation also reflects on the broader question of how actors in the NdFeB supply chain can change their behavior to limit their exposure to an unforeseen yet inevitable future crisis. Show less
