Despite the extensive use of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for quantifying impacts in the renewable energy sector, there are certain aspects that have not been adequately explored. Specifically, in the context of photovoltaic installations, significant gaps have emerged concerning the impacts arising from auxiliary components known as the "balance of system", the lack of adequate data for the life cycle analysis of inverters and the limitations of end-of-life strategies for the recycling of photovoltaic panels stand out. This thesis aims to partially address these issues by developing a model based on the Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) methodology, using GaBi 9.2.1.68 Education software. The FRELP methodology is designed for the recycling of approximately 95% of the aluminum, glass, copper, and silicon contained in photovoltaic panels. The results obtained from the model in the software indicate that approximately 60% of the emissions in terms of kgCO2 eq can be attributed to the incineration of photovoltaic sandwich panels. The research also identifies and evaluates potential modifications to the recycling process, such as reducing waste transportation. The results implemented in GaBi were compared with those obtained from a previous study conducted using SimaPro 8. This comparison highlighted how the use of different software, different impact quantification methodologies, and distinct databases can significantly influence the results obtained. Finally, a comparison was made between the FRELP procedure and the procedure commonly used in Europe according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), highlighting the greater potential of the FRELP methodology.
Nonostante l’ampio utilizzo della metodologia Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) per la quantificazione degli impatti nel settore delle energie rinnovabili, persistono argomenti che non sono stati adeguatamente esplorati. Nel contesto degli impianti fotovoltaici, in particolare, sono emerse carenze significative riguardo agli impatti derivanti dalle componenti ausiliarie note come "balance of system", tra i quali risalta la mancanza di dati adeguati per l’analisi del ciclo di vita degli inverter, e la limitazione delle strategie di fine vita per il riciclaggio dei pannelli fotovoltaici. Questa tesi si propone di affrontare parzialmente questi argomenti, sviluppando un modello basato sulla metodologia Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP), utilizzando il software GaBi 9.2.1.68 Education. La metodologia FRELP è finalizzata al riciclaggio di circa il 95% di alluminio, vetro, rame e silicio contenuti nei pannelli fotovoltaici. I risultati ottenuti dal modello sul software indicano che circa il 60% delle emissioni in termini di kgCO2 eq è attribuibile all’incenerimento dei sandwich fotovoltaici. La ricerca identifica e valuta anche potenziali modifiche al processo di riciclaggio, come la riduzione del trasporto dei rifiuti. I risultati implementati su GaBi sono stati confrontati con quelli ottenuti da uno studio precedente condotto utilizzando SimaPro 8. Tale confronto ha messo in luce come l’utilizzo di software diversi, metodologie di quantificazione degli impatti differenti e database distinti possano influenzare significativamente i risultati ottenuti. Infine, è stato condotto un confronto tra la procedura FRELP e la procedura mediamente utilizzata in europa secondo l’Agenzia Internazionale dell’Energia (IEA), evidenziando il potenziale maggiore della metodologia FRELP.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT PER GLI IMPIANTI AD ENERGIA RINNOVABILE: Sviluppo di un modello per il fine vita dei pannelli fotovoltaici a silicio ed implementazione su GaBi 9.2.1.68 Education
ALBERTI, ALICE
2022/2023
Abstract
Despite the extensive use of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for quantifying impacts in the renewable energy sector, there are certain aspects that have not been adequately explored. Specifically, in the context of photovoltaic installations, significant gaps have emerged concerning the impacts arising from auxiliary components known as the "balance of system", the lack of adequate data for the life cycle analysis of inverters and the limitations of end-of-life strategies for the recycling of photovoltaic panels stand out. This thesis aims to partially address these issues by developing a model based on the Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) methodology, using GaBi 9.2.1.68 Education software. The FRELP methodology is designed for the recycling of approximately 95% of the aluminum, glass, copper, and silicon contained in photovoltaic panels. The results obtained from the model in the software indicate that approximately 60% of the emissions in terms of kgCO2 eq can be attributed to the incineration of photovoltaic sandwich panels. The research also identifies and evaluates potential modifications to the recycling process, such as reducing waste transportation. The results implemented in GaBi were compared with those obtained from a previous study conducted using SimaPro 8. This comparison highlighted how the use of different software, different impact quantification methodologies, and distinct databases can significantly influence the results obtained. Finally, a comparison was made between the FRELP procedure and the procedure commonly used in Europe according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), highlighting the greater potential of the FRELP methodology.È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/16666