Result description
Our work consisted in the sum and partial combination of 6 studies:
- A life-cycle analysis made possible thanks to the data provided by academic and industrial partners.
- A regulatory watch (including RoHS Directive, WEEE Directive and REACH Regulation).
- A “risk analysis” providing hazard and exposure considerations, particularly with respect to lead.
- Three normalised lixiviation tests to estimate potential leakage.
- One firing test to assess the potential emission of noxious gases.
- A cost benefit-analysis combining LCA results and economic valuation of impacts.
This study provides elements to understand the “lead issue”, which could a priori be considered as a major obstacle to the future development of the technology.
In a context where strategic priorities for the development of future energy sources are to identified, it is important to propose a global evaluation integrating the impacts (or externalities) that are generally not taken into account in the economic calculation : impacts on health and environment.
Summary:
- Vigilance must be expected from industrialists to curb lead emissions to the environment.
- High environmental and health benefits seem to be expected from a partial substitution of standard PV technologies by CHEOPS technologies.
- The SEA considering the whole life cycle and 12 categories of impacts (human toxicity, climate change, land use…), this benefit amounts to around 29 k€/GWh of energy produced. (Having in mind that Europe produced 114 TWh of photovoltaic energy in 2016)
Radical Innovation Breakthrough
Energy Harvesting.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
Our needs are
- Collaboration
Target audiences
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
- Research and Technology Organisations
- Academia/ Universities
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by DE WILD-SCHOLTEN MARISKA
