LIFE СYCLE ASSESSMENT IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of assessing the consequences of the use of renewable energy sources considering their potential impact on the environment. The concept of life cycle assessment is defined, and the stages of implementation of the life cycle assessment procedure according to the LCA methodology are revealed. The features of life cycle assessment in the energy sector are considered. The results of the life cycle assessment study of different types of energy sources, used in the national energy system of the Czech Republic, are analyzed. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-known research methodology that involves studying the existing relationships with the environment. Often, researchers do not take these connections into account or take them into account incompletely, which leads to incorrect conclusions regarding the properties of these phenomena and their impact on the environment. Decarbonization strategies, created with models of national energy systems, involve the implementation of lowcarbon technologies. Although these technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they result in indirect emissions through construction and can cause other environmental impacts such as ecotoxicity and resource depletion. Thus, it is a mistake to consider renewable energy sources as completely emission-free. Using lowcarbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can “shift the burden” on the other environmental impacts. Thus, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful decision support tool that assesses a product’s or process’s environmental impact at all stages (from material extraction to waste disposal). Over time, LCAs will be increasingly used to assess the environmental impact of energy technologies.