(102e) Integrating Circular Economy Metrics into the Design and Planning of Sustainable Energy Systems

The increasing energy demand and the environmental impact of traditional energy sources underscore the critical need to transition towards economically and environmentally sustainable resources. This energy transition involves three main pillars: enhanced energy efficiency, electrification of end-use sectors, and a shift towards renewable energy technologies. However, a major concern for this transition is the availability and accessibility of the necessary minerals and metals, their scalable supply and production, and the management of end-of-life waste [1]. For example, a 100 MW wind power plant requires 67,850 t of diverse materials, including composites and polymers, which pose challenges for recycling [2]. At the same time, by 2050, the projected PV capacity in the US (1.75 TW) will demand 97 million tons of virgin material and generate 8 million tons of lifecycle waste [3]. Therefore, there is a critical need to integrate circular economy (CE) principles into the design and planning of energy systems [4].

To enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, assessing the full lifecycle impact, including material extraction, resource use, waste generation, and end-of-life options, of energy technologies is essential. The extraction of raw materials and waste generated throughout product supply chains has enormous environmental and socioeconomic impacts, including loss of biodiversity, depletion of natural resources, and pollution [5]. Despite the importance of incorporating CE measures into energy systems, a comprehensive metric for evaluating the circularity of energy systems and integrating it into the design and planning of energy systems has not been defined yet. Several studies have conducted economic and environmental evaluations of energy systems, but most focus on capital and operating costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption, neglecting material and resource considerations.

This work proposes a framework based on the CE assessment method MICRON (MIcro CirculaR ecOnomy iNdex) [6], a quantitative tool derived from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards at a micro-level, to evaluate the circularity of energy systems. The objective is to compare different energy technologies using a holistic approach, considering more than just greenhouse gas emissions, and to identify potential improvements and trade-offs in energy system planning and design. The framework includes indicators such as waste generation, water consumption, procurement, energy use, emissions, and spillages. Specifically tailored for energy systems, it also evaluates material use, material scarcity, durability, technology lifetime, and the recyclability and reusability of infrastructure components. By analyzing these factors alongside energy source and overall system efficiency, the framework comprehensively assesses an energy system's proximity to a circular model. Furthermore, it empowers decision-makers to prioritize circularity in infrastructure planning, guiding the development of more sustainable energy systems. The applicability of this CE framework is demonstrated through a case study focused on planning the energy transition of a university campus [7], integrating circular economy criteria alongside economic objectives into the design process.

References

[1] Gielen, D. (2021), Critical minerals for the energy transition, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi.

[2] Mali, S., & Garrett, P. (2022). Life cycle assessment of electricity production from an onshore V150-4.2MW wind plant (Technical report). Vestas. Aarhus, Denmark.

[3] Mirletz, H., Ovaitt, S., Sridhar, S., & Barnes, T. M. (2022). Circular economy priorities for photovoltaics in the energy transition. PLoS ONE, 17(9 September), 1–21.

[4] Avraamidou, S., Baratsas, S. G., Tian, Y., & Pistikopoulos, E. N. (2020). Circular Economy - A challenge and an opportunity for Process Systems Engineering. Computers and Chemical Engineering, 133, 106629.

[5] Avraamidou, S., & Torres, A. I. (2023). Circular Economy: Definitions, Challenges, and Opportunities. Foundations of Computer Aided Process Operations / Chemical Process Control.

[6] Baratsas, S. G., Pistikopoulos, E. N., & Avraamidou, S. (2022). A quantitative and holistic circular economy assessment framework at the micro level. Computers and Chemical Engineering, 160, 107697.

[7] Vergara, J., Brahmbhatt, P., & Avraamidou, S. (2024). A Multi-Scale Optimization Framework for Energy Transition Planning in Urban Areas: Insights from a University Campus Case Study Preprint.