Environmental Assessment of a Hybrid Solar-Biomass Energy Supplying System: A Case Study

Abstract

Local energy supply by renewable energy, such as solar energy and biomass, using distributed energy systems plays an important role in global energy structure. This study investigated the environmental performance of a hybrid solar-biomass energy supplying system by life-cycle assessment method. The results showed that in terms of environmental and energy impacts, the construction stage and the disassembly and recycling stage of the system contribute little to the whole life-cycle environmental impacts. According to the results of most of the selected impact categories, the solar subsystem contributed the most environmental emissions during construction stage, followed by the two anaerobic reactors; therefore, the excessive pursuit of high solar energy proportion can correspondingly lead to even more serious environmental problems. The integrated energy supplying system significantly reduces non-renewable energy consumption, climate change impacts, acidification as well as eutrophication effects due to the replacement of alternatives such as lignite coal, and from fertilizer production. The present hybrid solar-biomass energy supplying system not only produces clean thermal energy but also reduces the disposal of organic wastes and produces valuable agricultural products.

The Potential Environmental and Social Influence of the Inorganic Salt Hydrates Used as a Phase Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage in Solar Installations

“…To the best of our knowledge, no research results have been published so far that would show the public's approach to solar installations containing PCM modules with inorganic salt hydrates. Thus, photovoltaics are evolving and the society does not always keep up with new technologies, which may cause a negative impact and reduce the demand for this type of installations [2]. As a consequence, this may limit the sustainable development of the environment.…”

“…Since the advent of renewable energy sources, they have been gaining greater and greater acceptance by society, especially when it comes to solar energy [1]. Local supply of this type of energy, with the use of distributed energy systems, plays an important role in the global infrastructure [2]. In some regions of the world, the potential environmental impact of different technologies is still little known [1].…”

“…In some regions of the world, the potential environmental impact of different technologies is still little known [1]. On the one hand, replacing conventional sources (coal) with renewable energy has a positive effect on climate change and reduces soil acidification and eutrophication, but, on the other hand, technological advances and the introduction of new substances in installations, the impact of which is unknown in the long term, may cause serious environmental risk or social dissatisfaction [2]. The knowledge of the environmental effects of the interactions of various substances already at the stage of their selection for use in a photovoltaic installation in connection with their technical, economic, and social properties should be an important aspect in the process of designing such solutions [3,4].…”

Composite Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Geopolitical Zones in Nigeria

“…These configurations serve as the basis for the current study. The eight configurations are selected based on the technical feasible configurations presented in the literature in the public domain [31][32][33][34][35] and the technology that could be supported by the available energy resources in the rural context -namely solar, biomass (agro-waste) and wind.…”

Potential Savings in DHW Facilities through the Use of Solar Thermal Energy in the Hospitals of Extremadura (Spain)

“…Solar thermal showed three years lower payback (14 years versus 17 years) compared to solar photovoltaic for this application [21]. Hybridizing solar thermal technology with photovoltaic and biomass for DHW production is emerging; however, solar thermal is still more cost-effective today [22,23]. Research on architectural integration of renewable energy installations is trying to overcome the lack of roof area [24].…”