Exploring the Environmental Benefits of an Open-Loop Circular Economy Strategy for Automotive Batteries in Industrial Applications

Luca Silvestri (), Antonio Forcina, Cecilia Silvestri, Gabriella Arcese and Domenico Falcone
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Luca Silvestri: Department of Engineering, University of Rome “Niccolò Cusano”, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi, 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
Antonio Forcina: Department of Engineering, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Isola C4, Centro Direzionale Napoli, 80133 Naples, Italy
Cecilia Silvestri: Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of “Tuscia” of Viterbo, Via del Paradiso, 47, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Gabriella Arcese: Department of Engineering, University of Rome “Niccolò Cusano”, Via Don Carlo Gnocchi, 3, 00166 Rome, Italy
Domenico Falcone: Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) can overwhelm some of the environmental challenges of a low-carbon power sector through self-consumption with standalone photovoltaic (PV) systems. This solution can be adapted for different applications such as residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Furthermore, the option to employ second-life batteries derived from electric vehicles represents a promising opportunity for preserving the environment and improving the circular economy (CE) development. Nowadays, the industrial sector is progressively applying CE principles in their business strategies, and focusing on the potential positive consequences of CE eco-innovations on climate change mitigation. With the aim to promote the transition to an open-loop circular economy for automotive batteries, this study assesses and quantifies the potential environmental benefits resulting from the integration of a second-life battery-based BESS (SL-BESS) connected to an industrial machine. For this purpose, various scenarios involving the use of BESS, SL-BESS, and a standalone PV system are compared with a base case, where the machine is entirely powered by electricity from the grid. The examination of life cycle stages follows the life cycle assessment (LCA) cradle-to-grave methodology as outlined in ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006/Amd 1:2017. Simapro ® 9 is utilized as the software platform. Results demonstrate that the combination of the SL-BESS with a standalone photovoltaic (PV) system represents the optimal solution in terms of global warming potential (GWP) reduction, with a saving of up to −74.8%. However, manufacturing and end-of-life stages of PV and batteries contribute to abiotic depletion and human toxicity, resulting from the use of chemicals and the extraction of resources essential for their manufacture. Indeed, when BESS is made of new batteries, it demonstrates the most significant impacts in terms of AD at 1.22 × 10 −1 kg Sb eq and human toxicity (HT) at 3.87 × 10 3 kg 1,4-DB eq, primarily attributable to the manufacturing stages of both BESS and PV systems. The findings represent a significant breakthrough, highlighting the substantial capacity of incorporating SL-BESS alongside renewable energy sources to mitigate GWP resulting from industrial applications, and the criticality of repurposing decommissioned batteries from the automotive industry for secondary use.

Keywords: life cycle assessment; circular economy; second-life battery; battery energy storage system; electric vehicle; PV system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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