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Latin America has the largest share of renewable energy for power generation in the world, but has historically been dependent on hydropower, and is vulnerable to long-term phenomena like the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The region is currently experiencing a steady increase in gas-based power generation along with a rapid growth in non-hydro renewables, mainly aimed at improving reliability. But exploiting complementarities between hydropower and other renewables could offer additional benefits. This paper investigates to what extent improved deployment of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic cells (PV), aimed at complementing existing hydropower, could mitigate the impacts of ENSO in Latin America. We use a meteorological reanalysis dataset to model the variations in wind-, solar- and hydropower throughout the entire 20th century and their association with different ENSO phases in the same period. A statistical algorithm is then used to identify locations at national and regional levels offering the maximal level of complementarity. The results show that adding 136 GW of wind- and solar-power with high-complementarity has the potential to cost-effectively compensate the fluctuations of hydropower and reduce the variability of renewable power not only during drought ENSO phases but also outside ENSO events. Benefits include: (i) an increase of up to 5-fold the minimum threshold of renewable power available every month, (ii) a reduction of up to 65% in the variability of renewable power generation, and (iii) reaching a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.09–0.23 $/kWh, which is comparable to that of new gas plants. • An improved selection of wind- and solar-power to mitigate impacts of ENSO on hydropower is shown. • A meteorological reanalysis dataset to model variations in wind-, solar- and hydropower is used. • A statistical algorithm is employed to identify locations with maximal complementarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of the current linear carbon economy to a circular carbon economy with chemical recycling of plastic waste and recirculation of domestic carbon resources is investigated using the example of petroleum‐based olefin production. The scenario‐based sustainability assessment shows the potential of chemical recycling to cover olefin production in Germany. With perspective 2050, the entire olefin production could be realized by coupling green e‐hydrogen with previously incinerated non‐fossil waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A decarbonization of the European energy system implies great changes in the residential sector. Recently, the sector does not show the necessary dynamics. Apparently decarbonizing the sector requires a new momentum. Using PV-Battery systems as key technology for the residential sector for becoming more environmentally sustainable as an example, we take a closer look at the complexity of technology diffusions in the residential sector. By employing a socio-techno-economic (SoTeEc) framework approach we consider that diffusion processes are impacted by a broad range of measurable and non-measurable factors. Our framework combines a techno-economic with a socio-economic analysis. With the techno-economic analysis we assess the drivers of technology diffusion of PV-Battery systems in private households whereas the socio-economic analysis focuses on the role of a) the household sector in the overall social-economic system and b) actor specific factors like attitudes. The link of the two approaches enables us to identify which techno-economic scenarios are feasible from socio-economic point of view and vice versa. Hence, we can identify scenarios which fulfill simultaneously requirements from techno-economic and socio-economic point of views. Such scenarios can serve as a starting point for policy recommendations. • Decarbonization of residential sector depends on measurable and non-measurable factors. • A socio-techno-economic framework enables to consider constraints on different levels. • Not all techno-economic scenarios are realistic from socio-economic point of view and vice versa. • From a techno-economic point of view it is not optimal for households to be 100% grid-independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-based materials (CBMs) for energetic and material purposes combine biogenic and anthropogenic carbon cycles. In the latter, numerous manufactured products with various in-use lifespans accumulate as anthropogenic carbon stocks. Understanding the behavior of these stocks is an important requirement to estimate not only future waste amounts, source for secondary raw materials, but also the impacts and effects in carbon emissions and carbon management. Previous models have estimated material stock changes; however, a lack of research in carbon stocks is perceived. Moreover, studies follow in-use lifespan estimation approaches, such as decay functions, which do not coincide with observed consumption and waste treatment patterns. In the first part of this article, we present a carbon stock-flow model to analyze inter-relationships between carbon flows and stocks from raw materials to waste treatment processes considering a consumer perspective, where the dynamics of anthropogenic carbon stocks are completely described. In the second part, we study the pulp and paper industry in Germany under a scenario approach to analyze the behavior, development, and impacts of paper stocks and flows between 2010 and 2040. The model provided coherent results, with industrial data estimating 33.9 million metric tons in 2010 in paper stocks, equivalent to 410 kilograms per person. Consumption per capita and in-use lifespan of products were identified as the most significant variables in carbon stock building. Model simulations show a sustained growth in stocks for the next 30 years, with increase in waste and carbon emissions. But in combination with recycling and reuse mechanisms and consumption patterns, environmental impacts are reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper attempts to analyse the environmental and economic impacts of the Multi-fuel Solar Hybrid Power Plant concept called SolComBio. An environmental and economic assessment is performed to investigate whether the concept could be suitable for energy source in remote areas compared with the conventional local energy supply systems. The technological concept relies on the combination of a solar thermal receiver and a multi-fuel pulverized biomass burner system to overcome the impediments of local or regional power supply under environmental friendly and economic sound conditions. Through the hybridisation with multi-fuel pulverized burner system, SolComBio concept overcomes the drawbacks of solar systems and offers flexibility of operation time and also possibility of fuel changes, which makes it suitable for areas with seasonal biomass production. Two cases of constructing and operating the plant in a Brazilian and Indonesian remote region are addressed. According to the calculations, SolComBio seems to be promising from the environmental side; nonetheless, depending on the conditions at the local land and feedstock markets the SolComBio concept could be competitive or not. This study offers a reflection how a technological concept can arouse interest of remote regions from the perspective of systems analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: First-generation biofuels are often challenged over their potentially adverse impact on food prices. Biofuels that use nonfood biomass such as lignocellulose are being promoted to ease the conflict between fuels and food. However, their complex processes mean that the total costs of lignocellulosic ethanol may be high in comparison. This might undermine the economic soundness of plans for its use. Another potential advantage of lignocellulosic ethanol is seen in an enhanced contribution to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Yet the increasing attractiveness of lignocellulosic biofuels may also lead to changes in land use that induce additional carbon emissions. For this reason, the environmental impacts of such plans are not straightforward and depend on the affected category of land. The objective of this paper is to compare the economic perspectives and environmental impact of lignocellulosic ethanol with food-based ethanol taking into account market constraints and policy measures. The analysis of the environmental impact focuses on carbon dioxide emissions. In the medium run, i.e., by 2020, lignocellulosic ethanol could enter the gasoline market, crowding out inter alia food-based ethanol. In terms of carbon dioxide emissions, lignocellulosic ethanol seems to be environmentally desirable in each of the analyzed cases. The findings depend crucially on the market conditions, which are influenced inter alia by crude oil, the exchange rate, and technology conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eco-efficiency links economic efficiency with environmental efficiency. The main purpose of the concept is to identify and implement activities to enable production that is both economically more efficient and cleaner. This means that parameters with a high indicative value have to be used. Since both the environmental and the economic performance of industries must be described concurrently, environmental intensity appears to be a good indicator of eco-efficiency. Environmental intensity is environmental impact per unit of economic performance. In this paper, the environmental impact of industry classes is derived from emission data, released by the European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER), and then aggregated and assessed using Eco-Indicator 99, a single-score life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method. The calculated ratio is thus an accurate description of the environmental–economic state of industry classes. The main advantage of this approach is the underlying consistent statistical framework, that permits, on a disaggregated level, economic data to be correlated with ecological data and to be frequently updated. This single indicator facilitates a comparison of environmental intensity of different industry classes. The paper shows that it is possible to deduce a disaggregated eco-efficiency indicator, which is exemplified using German data, however could be analysed for different European countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In Belo Horizonte, a share of the waste pickers are self-organized. • Collectivism and solidarity create a secondary system for waste picking. • About 4% of the recyclable waste could be assigned (as input) for WP cooperatives. • Market price and legislation for packaging are barriers for the recycling system. • A target group could bring waste pickers into a circular economy. Waste pickers (WPs) are considered a strong suggestion to become practical mediators of the circular economy (CE) in emerging economies. This new recommendation intends to strengthen WPs' role in household solid waste management while supporting the establishment of CE. Municipalities often do not recognize WPs as service providers and frequently discriminate against them. In such a challenging situation, could a socio-integrated recycling system with integrated WPs be a robust strategy to boost a CE? Belo Horizonte is a learning platform to answer this research question because this Brazilian city has a long-term commitment to social integration. The work applies the combination of participatory observation, multi-year material flow analysis (MFA), and structural agent analysis (SAA) to identify allocative resources, legitimation, and cultural values that are fundamental to operationalizing CE. The MFA results show a significant increase in waste generation, but not more than 4% of recyclable waste generated could be collected as input for WP cooperatives. The number of WPs registered in cooperatives, the market price of recyclables, and regulatory legislation for packaging products are classified as barriers for the successful extension of a socio-integrated recycling system identified in the SAA. This study suggests that knowing the target group (e.g., city hall and industries) brings opportunities for WPs to disclose niches (based on a small network of agents with expectations and visions) and can potentially create socio-technical regimes to implement a conscious and sustainable CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sustainable municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system is recognized by Agenda 21 as an opportunity for cities for creating decent jobs, raising incentives for responsible consumption, and protecting the natural environment. However, according to our experience for many stakeholders and decision-makers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the principles for sustainability defined by the Bruntland Commission are far too abstract. They are not readily applicable to establish a sustainable MSWM system. Even though Brazilian cities are strongly being influenced by concepts developed in high-income countries to search for strategic policies and long-term action plans for MSWM, many decisions-makers have not paid much attention to an overall sustainability approach so far. Against this backdrop, the present paper introduces the municipal solid waste diagram (MSWD) as a comprehensive framework for assessing the current state of a MSWM system against a future sustainable one. The normative foundation of MSWD is the Integrative Concept of Sustainability (ICoS), which contrasts the conventional approach of sustainability which typically characterizes a sustainable future along the three dimensions of economy, environment and society. ICoS points out crucial documents for sustainable development (e.g., Brundtland report and Agenda 21), and moreover, it does not neglect the potential of the capability approach. By this, the dynamic interrelationship between the abovementioned dimensions is taken into account. Another characteristic of the MSWD is the strong involvement of stakeholders, experts, and decision-makers during the construction and application of that instrument. Their central task was to certify the relevance, compatibility, flexibility of the chosen nine assessment criteria and the related 18 indicators on the ground of the ICoS. Any other study is known which looks for the dynamics of MSWM. The proposed approach helps to identify the constitute elements of MSWM clearly and to match to goals of sustainability without distinguishing and prioritizing any dimensionality. This approach clarifies the scientific background for sustainable development in the process of decision making regarding MSWM which is not done by conventional sustainability assessment methodologies. By the participation of the most relevant stakeholders of Belo Horizonte, the municipal solid waste diagram is verified. Belo Horizonte has currently obtained a level of development of about one third towards the goals of sustainability. The city had the best performance on securing human existence, in which the individual protection takes currently a high priority. The presented MSWD and thus the findings are specific to Belo Horizonte, but not the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a 50-year armed conflict, negotiations with guerrilla groups are likely to lead to peace agreements in Colombia. A post-conflict context would open up the possibility of modernizing agriculture, improving living standards in rural areas and making good use of the vast natural resources. Sustainable bioenergy combined with improved land use strategies is of particular interest in this context. However, while bioenergy is today the second largest renewable resource after hydropower, no official plans exist for exploiting it in a post-conflict context. Our study investigates the impacts that an accelerated deployment of bioenergy could have in Colombia until 2030, under different land use pathways. Firstly, we review the country's socioeconomic, land use, energy and emissions context. Then, we identify lessons that Colombia could learn from Brazil to accomplish the proposed targets. Secondly, we explore various scenarios deploying different technologies (bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, biomethane and biomass-based power generation & CHP) and land use pathways that are likely to be implemented in a post-conflict scenario (zero deforestation, agricultural intensification and extensification). Thirdly, we analyze variations in energy demand and supply, greenhouse gas emissions, land use change and biofuel trade. We find that biomethane and biomass-based power generation & CHP could reduce emissions more effectively than first-generation biofuels. However, their abatement is only 5% relative to a baseline scenario. Combining all bioenergy technologies with zero deforestation, agricultural intensification and extensification could boost abatements up to 280%, a value four times higher than the national commitments by 2030. Our study shows that relatively simpler land use and energy models using free software can produce results of quality comparable to more complex and widely accepted models (e.g. IAMs). These results might be helpful to policymakers evaluating the role of bioenergy in a post-conflict context and to other developing countries with significant bioenergy potential and similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major goal concerning the energy transition in Germany is the reduction of energy usage. In Germany in 2011, private households consumed 2194 PJ and have been identified as a sector with high energy reduction potential. The energy demand of this sector is dependent on many linked quantitative and qualitative factors (e.g., number of persons and demographic structure, expenditures, cost of energy-saving measures, willingness to invest, and level of coordination in international climate policy). In our study, we introduce a multilevel cross-impact approach which allows for the definition and quantification of data for scenario analysis while taking the interdependences between different factors on the global, national and sectoral levels into account. This approach makes it possible to overcome limitations that conventional energy models are usually confronted with. By applying a trend analysis in combination with information on the interdependence of relevant factors on the global and national levels, consistent sectoral views of the private household's future are created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the process of developing a technology roadmap for deploying bioenergy technologies at a country level. A method for energy technology roadmapping adapted to the conditions of developing countries is proposed. This method combines an acknowledged roadmapping framework from prior art, a new strategy to build consensus based on the Delphi method and a strong focus on analytical modeling for supporting expert judgment. This method aims to be simple, transparent and affordable. The proposed method is applied to Colombia for creating a plan to deploy sustainable bioenergy technologies in Colombia until 2030. This plan consists of a set of long-term goals, milestones, barriers and action items identified by over 30 experts for key bioenergy technology areas (viz. bioethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, biomethane, biogas, waste-to-energy and power generation and combined heat and power). Finally, the relevance of the process of developing a technology roadmap for bioenergy exploitation in Colombia in other developing countries is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modeling framework to address the energy, economy, emissions and land use nexus when exploiting bioenergy in developing countries. The modeling framework combines a qualitative and a quantitative element. The qualitative element integrates two components: (1) technology roadmapping to identify long-term technology targets through expert judgment and (2) scenario analysis to investigate different future storylines. The quantitative element comprises four integrated tools, namely the energy system model (ESM), the land use and trade model (LUTM), an economic model, and an external climate model. An overview of the modeling framework, scenario analysis, structure of the models, modeling techniques, mathematical formulations and assumptions is presented and discussed. The modeling framework is applied to the particular context of Colombia, as a case study of a developing country with large bioenergy potential. In this study case, the impacts that an accelerated deployment of bioenergy technologies might cause on the energy demand and supply, emissions and land use until 2030 are evaluated. Results suggest that a plan to exploit bioenergy in Colombia should prioritize the deployment of technologies for biomethane production, power generation & CHP, which can reduce more GHG emissions and more emissions per incremental hectare of land than first-generation biofuels. Moreover, while the share of bioenergy in the primary energy demand decreases in all the analyzed scenarios, it is possible to envision significant increases in the share of bioenergy in road transport energy demand, power generation and natural gas supply for scenarios implementing roadmap goals. In addition, impacts of El Niño oscillation on the dependence of hydro for power generation can be partly mitigated by exploiting the complementarity of hydro and bioenergy, which might result in a reduction of up to 5–6% in the demand for fossil fuels used in power generation in dry years. However, despite the ambitious goals proposed here, bioenergy alone cannot significantly reduce emissions by 2030 (maximum 10% reduction relative to baseline) and effective climate change mitigation requires a portfolio of additional measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel approach to address uncertainty and improve reliability of the estimation of the biomass energy potential at a country level, particularly suitable for situations when quality and availability of data are limited. The proposed methodology improves the prediction reliability by following four steps: 1) using a simple accounting framework, 2) using a robust selection of probability density functions, 3) using a probabilistic propagation of uncertainty and 4) using sensitivity analysis to identify key variables contributing to uncertainty as well as a root cause analysis and a set of sub-models to improve estimation of key variables. The application of the methodology to the energy scenario in Colombia shows that the improved estimation of the theoretical energy potential has an almost identical mean value compared to the preliminary estimate, but the uncertainty is significantly lower (less than 50%). Moreover, the mean value of the technical energy potential obtained through the methodology is 25% lower than the preliminary potential and the uncertainty reduces by one third. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Copper is, due to its divergent properties, a popular metal. Nevertheless, from the ecological point of view, processing of copper has some drawbacks. For example, copper ores contain elements, like sulphur, which could be damaging. Recently, global copper-demand increased, mainly due to rising Chinese imports. In the longer-term, the environmental impacts could intensify as an increase in demand for copper products is expected, so enforcing growing mining and processing activities. However, at least two trends can counteract these developments: technical progress and increased use of recycled metal. The objective of this study is to discuss whether the trends will enforce a sustainable development of the copper material flow, focusing on carbon-dioxide emissions and sulphur. The study is made by using a process-based partial equilibrium model, modelling the global copper material flow, considering recycling of copper as well as by-products. The allocation of output and technology to regions is based on economic decisions subject to the constraints set by existing techniques. By discussing the longer-run development of the global copper material flow, one scenario will be computed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents distinct scenario pathways and their storylines resulting from an analysis of interdependencies. We identified the main drivers of a proposed renewable energy transition in rural Mixteca-Puebla, Mexico. By analyzing the main factors involved in alleviating impoverished communities in the rural region, we show the varying degrees to which these drivers influence, support, or hinder a promising energy transition. A Cross-Impact Balance Analysis was conducted to explore the multiple inter-relationships among a set of conditions. This methodology allowed us to evaluate the relationships between social, political, cultural, and environmental variables. The main drivers were identified as clusters of several elements, in which the uncertainties in governance and the legal system trigger the inter-relationship of forces in the area. The focus of this paper is to show how the societal aspects affect the structural energy transformation and its capacity for adaptation in future trends envisioned for the area. This research contributes to the use of technological transformation as a means to alleviate poverty in a rural area. These outcomes give insights regarding the conditions to be considered, in respect to possible–encouraging, but also pessimistic pathways for the region in coming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy conversion is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and energy transition scenarios are a key tool for gaining a greater understanding of the possible pathways toward climate protection. There is consensus in energy research that political and societal framework conditions will play a pivotal role in shaping energy transitions. In energy scenario construction, this perspective is increasingly acknowledged through the approach of informing model-based energy analysis with storylines about societal futures, an exercise we call "socio-technical energy scenario construction" in this article. However, there is a dispute about how to construct the storylines in a traceable, consistent, comprehensive, and reproducible way. This study aims to support energy researchers considering the use of the concept of socio-technical scenarios in two ways: first, we provide a state-of-the-art analysis of socio-technical energy scenario construction by comparing 16 studies with respect to five categories. Second, we address the dispute regarding storyline construction in energy research and examine 13 reports using the Cross-Impact Balances method. We collated researcher statements on the strengths and challenges of this method and identified seven categories of promises and challenges each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling life cycle assessment (LCA) and energy systems models (ESM) is a suitable approach to assess energy systems from both life cycle and energy systems perspectives. However, methodological challenges need to be taken into account due to differences between both modeling approaches considering system boundaries, databases, and different levels of detail of their input data. This paper brings these challenges into discussion and introduces the Environmental Assessment Framework for Energy System Analysis (EAFESA), which enables to identify life cycle based non-climate environmental impacts of energy scenarios consistently. EAFESA is applied to analyze potential future decarbonized European electricity systems with a focus on flexibility options using ELTRAMOD as an example of an ESM to test the conceptual approach of combining ESM and LCA. The application confirms the importance and benefits of "integrated thinking" proposed by EAFESA, which allows minimizing the pitfalls of combining both models comprehensively. At the same time, EAFESA has the potential to bring awareness of issues not discussed among policy-makers. One example is the insight that the decarbonized electricity system will be accompanied by increased metal demand and urban land occupation. • The challenges of coupling LCA and ESM are discussed. • EAFESA is proposed as a general and holistic framework to overcome the challenges. • EAEFSA is applied to assess the future EU28 + 2 electricity system with flexibility options. • Policy implications beyond climate change are proposed in the application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model-based energy scenarios are a widely used tool for supporting economic and political decision makers. The results of energy modeling and the conclusions deduced therefrom, however, depend on the model input data derived from framework assumptions about future developments in the embedding society, which are deeply uncertain in the long term. The challenge to deal with this ‘context uncertainty’ in a systematic and comprehensive manner has only recently started to attract intensified attention in energy research; the search for appropriate methods is ongoing. This paper proposes a new concept for the construction of socio-technical energy scenarios, which combines familiar environmental modeling approaches with new developments in qualitative scenario methodology, and demonstrates the possible application of the concept in model-based energy scenario construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a methodology to estimate the biomass energy potential and its associated uncertainty at a country level when quality and availability of data are limited. The current biomass energy potential in Colombia is assessed following the proposed methodology and results are compared to existing assessment studies. The proposed methodology is a bottom-up resource-focused approach with statistical analysis that uses a Monte Carlo algorithm to stochastically estimate the theoretical and the technical biomass energy potential. The paper also includes a proposed approach to quantify uncertainty combining a probabilistic propagation of uncertainty, a sensitivity analysis and a set of disaggregated sub-models to estimate reliability of predictions and reduce the associated uncertainty. Results predict a theoretical energy potential of 0.744 EJ and a technical potential of 0.059 EJ in 2010, which might account for 1.2% of the annual primary energy production (4.93 EJ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a novel method to estimate the future biomass energy potential in countries with domestic markets unable to influence international markets. As a study case, the biomass energy potential in Colombia is estimated for the period 2010–2030. The prediction model is a scenario-based optimization algorithm that maximizes the yearly profit of locally producing and importing commodities in a country subject to certain constraints (domestic demand, limited area, etc.) as well as to demographic, macroeconomic and market data (e.g. domestic and international prices of commodities). The bioenergy potential associated to the production of commodities is calculated according to a methodology presented by the same authors. In order to provide a modeling framework consistent with other state-of-the-art projections, global scenarios for analysis are selected from the literature rather than formulated. Selected global scenarios highlight the influence of global biofuel use on agricultural prices, production and demand. Results predict a theoretical bioenergy potential in Colombia 56%–69% larger in 2030 than in 2010 (1.31–1.41 EJ). A sensitivity analysis shows that while a higher global biofuel use leads to a higher local bioenergy potential, its influence is less pronounced than that of agricultural yields, demand and specific energy of biomass resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transformation of the European electricity system could generate unintended environment-related trade-offs, e.g., between greenhouse gas emissions and metal depletion. The question thus emerges, how to shape policy packages considering climate change, but without neglecting other environmental and resource-related impacts. In this context, this study analyzes the impacts of different settings of potential policy targets using a multi-criteria analysis in the frame of a coupled energy system and life cycle assessment model. The focus is on the interrelationship between climate change and metal depletion in the future European decarbonized electricity system in 2050, also taking into account total system expenditures of transforming the energy system. The study shows, firstly, that highly ambitious climate policy targets will not allow for any specific resource policy targets. Secondly, smoothing the trade-off is only possible to the extent of one of the policy targets, whereas, thirdly, the potential of recycling as a techno-economic option is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• GHG emissions of different EV charging strategies in Europe in 2050 are analyzed. • A model coupling concept of linking LCA and PERSEUS-EU is applied. • Emissions from uncontrolled charging are higher than controlled charging strategies. • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) has lower emissions than unidirectional charging. • V2G is not the silver bullet and its success is sensitive to many influences. The growing market share of electric vehicles (EV) has increased the interest in charging strategies and their effects on the electricity system as well as their climatic soundness. However, the benefits of different charging strategies including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) on a large regional scale, e.g. in Europe, have not been analyzed sufficiently. This study examines the impact of different charging strategies on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation and EV batteries in Europe in 2050. To consider indirect emissions and potentially additional battery degradation due to V2G, a model coupling concept is applied to link Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with the electricity system model, PERSEUS-EU. Overall, EV could reduce the GHG emissions by 36% by simply replacing conventional cars. Controlled unidirectional charging and V2G add another 4 or 11 percentage points on the European level. However, for these gains an efficient implementation of V2G is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sizing and operation optimization of a hybrid energy plant. • Integration of life cycle assessment into optimization. • Non-linear life cycle inventory scaling of energy systems. • Estimation of the operational primary energy and cumulative energy demand. This paper deals with the optimal design of a hybrid energy plant, which can include the following energy systems: solar thermal collector, photovoltaic panel, hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar system, combined heat and power system, organic Rankine cycle, absorption chiller, air source heat pump, ground source heat pump and thermal energy storage. Three different configurations are analyzed. In the first configuration, the abovementioned systems are considered with the exception of the hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar system and organic Rankine cycle. In the second configuration, a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar system is also included and in the third configuration the use of an organic Rankine cycle as the bottoming cycle of the combined heat and power system is evaluated. The optimization goal is to minimize the primary energy demanded throughout the manufacturing and operation phase of the hybrid energy plant. The challenge of non-linear life cycle inventory scaling of energy systems is also addressed. A tower located in northern Italy is selected as a case study and two different approaches are evaluated. The first approach consists of solving the sizing optimization by minimizing primary energy consumption only during the operation phase, while in the second approach primary energy consumption is minimized throughout the life cycle of the plant by integrating the life cycle assessment into the optimization process. The results show that, if life cycle assessment is integrated, the optimal sizes of plant components are different and the primary energy saving throughout the life cycle is always higher. With reference to the LCA integrated approach and compared to the first configuration, the use of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar system instead of separate solar thermal collector and photovoltaic panels is more efficient and may allow a primary energy saving of about 4%. Furthermore, compared to a conventional plant, the primary energy saving achievable with the first configuration is approximately 14%, while the primary energy saving increases to about 17% for the second and third configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]