Comparative life cycle assessment of renewable energy systems for heating and cooling

Renewable systems for heating and cooling (RES-HC) systems in last ten years have gradually increased their importance and their presence in the global heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market. Many energetic analysis and impact assessments have been made, which have demonstrated the convenience, respect to traditional HVAC systems, of solutions such as solar thermal or low enthalpy geothermal systems in terms of: energy consumption reduction, renewable energy use increase and emissions decrease. However, the several analysis made, up to date, only have considered the operation period of such systems, and consequently the comparison has been made only in terms of energy vectors used, omitting materials, components and processes. This paper aims to give a new perspective, showing how a correct environmental analysis should take into account all the life cycle of a system, from the cradle to grave, also if the system concerns a renewable energy source. In the specific case, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be presented, focusing on two currently popular RES-HC systems: solar thermal and low enthalpy geothermal, compared to the same functional unit. The results of this analysis could be a good starting point for future work on impact assessment of more complex and integrated HVAC systems

Strategic research and innovation agenda on circular economy

CICERONE aims to bring national, regional and local governments together to jointly tackle the circular economy transition needed to reach net-zero carbon emissions and meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement and EU Green Deal. This document represents one of the key outcomes of the project: a Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for Europe, to support owners and funders of circular economy programmes in aligning priorities and approaching the circular economy transition in a systemic way

Identification of Marine Biotechnology Value Chains with High Potential in the Northern Mediterranean Region

©2023. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This document is the Published, version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Marine Drugs. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/ 10.3390/md21070416Marine (blue) biotechnology is an emerging field enabling the valorization of new products and processes with massive potential for innovation and economic growth. In the Mediterranean region, this innovation potential is not exploited as well as in other European regions due to a lack of a clear identification of the different value chains and the high fragmentation of business innovation initiatives. As a result, several opportunities to create an innovative society are being missed. To address this problem, eight Northern Mediterranean countries (Croatia, France, Greece Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain) established five national blue biotechnology hubs to identify and address the bottlenecks that prevent the development of marine biotechnology in the region. Following a three-step approach (1. Analysis: setting the scene; 2. Transfer: identifi cation of promising value chains; 3. Capitalization: community creation), we identified the three value chains that are most promising for the Northern Mediterranean region: algae production for added-value compounds, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and valorization aquacul ture/fisheries/processing by-products, unavoidable/unwanted catches and discards. The potential for the development and the technical and non-technical skills that are necessary to advance in this exciting field were identified through several stakeholder events which provided valuable insight and feedback that should be addressed for marine biotechnology in the Northern Mediterranean region to reach its full potential

Identification of Marine Biotechnology Value Chains with High Potential in the Northern Mediterranean Region

© 2023. The authors. This document is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by /4.0/ This document is the Accepted version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Marine Drugs. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070416Marine (blue) biotechnology is an emerging field enabling the valorization of new products and processes with massive potential for innovation and economic growth. In the Mediterranean region, this innovation potential is not exploited as well as in other European regions due to a lack of a clear identification of the different value chains and the high fragmentation of business innovation initiatives. As a result, several opportunities to create an innovative society are being missed. To address this problem, eight Northern Mediterranean countries (Croatia, France, Greece, Mar. Drugs 2023, 21, 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070416 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/marinedrugs Mar. Drugs 2023, 21, 416 2 of 26 Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain) established five national blue biotechnology hubs to identify and address the bottlenecks that prevent the development of marine biotechnology in the region. Following a three-step approach (1. Analysis: setting the scene; 2. Transfer: identification of promising value chains; 3. Capitalization: community creation), we identified the three value chains that are most promising for the Northern Mediterranean region: algae production for added-value compounds, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and valorization aquaculture/fisheries/processing by-products, unavoidable/unwanted catches and discards. The potential for the development and the technical and non-technical skills that are necessary to advance in this exciting field were identified through several stakeholder events which provided valuable insight and feedback that should be addressed for marine biotechnology in the Northern Mediterranean region to reach its full potential

Sustainability analysis through Life Cycle Assessment methodology of systems for alternative production of energy and material

La dissertazione ha riguardato l’analisi di sostenibilità di un sistema agronomico per la produzione di olio vegetale a fini energetici in terreni resi marginali dall’infestazione di nematodi. Il processo indagato ha previsto il sovescio di una coltura con proprietà biofumiganti (brassicacea) coltivata in precessione alla specie oleosa (soia e tabacco) al fine di contrastare il proliferare dell’infestazione nel terreno. Tale sistema agronomico è stato confrontato attraverso una analisi di ciclo di vita (LCA) ad uno scenario di coltivazione della stessa specie oleosa senza precessione di brassica ma con l’utilizzo di 1-3-dicloropropene come sistema di lotta ai nematodi. Allo scopo di completare l’analisi LCA con una valutazione dell’impatto sull’uso del suolo (Land use Impact) generato dai due scenari a confronto, sono stati costruiti due modelli nel software per il calcolo del Soil Conditioning Index (SCI), un indicatore quali-quantitativo della qualità del terreno definito dal Dipartimento per l’Agricoltura degli Stati Uniti d’America (USDA).The dissertation aims to provide the sustainability analysis of an agronomic system for biodiesel production in soil made infertile by namatode pests. The analysis has been performed through a comparative Life Cycle Assessment of an agronomic system of tobacco oil production with Ethiopian mustad green manure in order to contrast nematodes proliferation thanks to the Ethiopian mustar chemical composition, compared to a traditional tobacco cultivation using 1-3-dichloropropene to face the nematodes problem. In order to integrate the Life Cycle Assessment results with a Land use impact evaluation, the Soil Conditioning Index model (developed by the Agricultural Department of the United States, USDA) has been used

Life Cycle Assessment of an Innovative Process for PVC Cables Waste Recycling

Cable recycling is an important source of high-grade secondary copper. Unfortunately, for every kg of copper produced, the cable recycling process also creates some 2 kg of residue: a complex mixture of PVC insulation, ill-liberated cable parts, very fine copper wire and a minor amount of other materials. This paper investigates two scenarios for this residue in terms of Life Cycle Assessment: land filling versus an innovative process that recycles over 90 mass% of the residue by means of a precise separation on density into a clean PVC fraction and a fine copper product. In order to compare the two scenarios and account for the quality issue of recycled materials, the land filling option is extended with the production of copper and PVC from primary resources, in quantities that represent the same market value as the recycled materials in the recycling scenario. The result of the analysis indicates that, despite this conservative approach, the recycling scenario reduces the relevant impacts by a factor of ten with respect to land filling

Environmental assessment of introducing a public drinking fountain within San Leo town

A vast majority of the European population lives and works in cities, consuming an estimated 80% of the energy used in the EU. Local administrations, as the closest government level to citizens, are ideally placed to address climate issues in a comprehensive manner. In this field a most promising initiative is the Covenant of Mayors (EUMayors, 2013), a voluntary European movement involving local and regional committed to reduce CO2 emissions through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. The reference document is EU 2020 (COM, 2010), the European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth aimed at achieve substantial objectives by 2020, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% compared to 1990 level; the increase to 20% of the share of renewable energy sources in the final energy consumption and a 20% increase in energy efficiency. As in general way, also for the accomplishment of the EU 2020 emission and energy targets, local authorities play a key role and Covenant of Mayor endorses and supports remarkably the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies. Currently, about 5000 signatories cities (EUMayors, 2013), with different size from small villages to major metropolitan areas are involved in the Covenant of Mayor. All the signatories are committed to implement sustainable energy policies to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources. These actions serve as examples for others to follow and an increasing number of municipalities are showing the political will to sign up to the Covenant. Finally, movements such as Covenant of Mayors endorse local authorities to respond several sustainability issues such as the strong social demand for better health, softer modes of transport, more natural areas in the cities, shorter circuits for food supply, shorter distances between working, living and leisure areas, reduced vulnerability to global economic shocks, especially for the poorest populations, and the creation of local and sustainable jobs. In other words, the endorsement of local authorities is crucial to improve the quality of life of their citizens and to face the challenge of sustainability. Another critical issue observed at urban level concerns the development of integrated solutions for drinking water usage and for water management. In fact, the 60% of all water is allocated to domestic human use (Toppeta, 2010) and by 2025 the water demand in municipal areas will increase by almost 80 billions cubic metres (Doobs, 2012). Worldwide, 44% of people are living in water stressed areas, and this number (o this rate) is expected to grow dramatically in the next future (Dirks and Keeling, 2009). Particularly, freshwater consumption is expected to rise of 25% by 2030, due largely to the increase in urban population (Washburn et al., 2010). There is the need to implement innovative solutions and at the same time to increase awareness among users, with the aim to locate distribution and to optimize usage of municipal drinking wate

Applicazione della Water Footprint sviluppata dal WF Network: il caso del Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP

L’agricoltura nei prossimi decenni continuerà ad essere il maggiore utilizzatore della risorsa acqua, richiedendo lo sviluppo di adeguate politiche di gestione e tutela. In tale contesto assume rilievo la discussione sulla valutazione dell’impronta idrica (Water Footprint-WF) e sul confronto fra i diversi metodi mediante la realizzazione di casi applicativi. In questo lavoro si presenta uno studio di WF, effettuato secondo il metodo del WF Network, sul processo di coltivazione del Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio DOP. Il confronto con analoghi studi di letteratura mostra come il metodo applicato possa fornire informazioni al coltivatore per una riduzione sia dell’uso della risorsa acqua, che degli impatti sulle acque del proprio sistema produttivo. Inoltre, il fattore resa rischia di portare a un valore di WF più elevato per colture tradizionali di qualità rispetto a colture intensive