Browsing by Subject "LCA"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Open Access
Environmental Impact Study: CSP vs. CdTe thin film photovoltaics
(2009-12-02T01:08:28Z) Montgomery, Zoe
Due to the recent market fascination with alternative energy, there has been a proliferation in solar energy technologies. Among all the new technologies, it is hard to see which will be successes and which will become obsolete as the industry matures. Even more difficult is analyzing the environmental impact of each of these technologies. The industry and recent entrants often tout the lack of resources needed to operate a solar plant, but ignore the resources required to get a product into operation. This study compares the two cheapest and most recently developed technologies in the solar energy industry: concentrated solar power parabolic trough technology and cadmium telluride photovoltaic solar panel technology. The two technologies are analyzed at a utility scale. The input materials and embodied energy are analyzed using two life cycle analysis tools: the EIOLCA tool from Carnegie Mellon and GaBi. Embodied energy is compared to the energy output of the respective technologies using two metrics: energy return on energy invested, and energy payback time. In addition to energy input and output, the two technologies are compared on land use, water use, and toxicology. The results of this study show that both technologies have advantages and disadvantages with respect to the impacts studied. Cadmium telluride photovoltaic technology is more efficient in terms of water and energy payback time, while concentrated solar trough technology is more efficient in terms of land use, toxicity, and energy returned on energy invested.
Open Access
Integrating Life Cycle Assessment in AT&T's Product Eco-Rating System
(2015-04-24) Barrs, Danielle
AT&T Inc. is an American communications holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates are providers of AT&T services, including wireless services. In connection with its Citizenship & Sustainability (C&S) efforts, AT&T requires that wireless devices carrying its brand be rated based on a number of environmental factors. These factors are assessed and devices are given an eco-rating of 1-5 stars. Now, AT&T is looking to incorporate life cycle assessment (LCA) into this product eco-rating system. This Master’s Project serves as a reference guide to assist AT&T in the integration of LCA in their eco-ratings. It also serves as the foundation for a business strategy roadmap which leverages the incorporation of LCA in corporate sustainability initiatives. This enhances transparency, reliability and innovation – not only as it relates to the company itself, but in helping consumers and other organizations forge a more sustainable future in an ever-evolving world. This report begins with an overview of sustainability initiatives at AT&T, followed by a breakdown of the company’s product eco-rating system. Subsequent sections consist of an LCA overview and roadmap, an analysis of emerging trends in the ICT industry with regards to life cycle and impact assessment, and recommendations for further development of AT&T’s C&S efforts in this regard.
Open Access
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - Environmental Impacts of a Medical Device Product
(2008-08-26T17:17:49Z) Lee, Edward S.
In this Masters Project a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a medical device product was performed. Aggregated environmental data spanning the life cycle of Product X, a drug-eluting stent with its delivery system was followed from production formulation through interventional cardiology use. The life cycle was differentiated into four phases; manufacturing, distribution, clinical use, and final disposal of product. Each phase was further segmented into individual factors where readily obtained metrics of carbon dioxide emissions, water usage, and solid waste generated are assigned and attributed to specific activites common across multiple phases. As expected the data indicate the majority of impacts occur within the manufacturing phase. However the largest carbon dioxide emission was unexpectedly found within the distribution phase, thus highlighting the significance of the transportation factor. Also of interest are the metrics found outside the boundary of the manufacturing facility where end-user waste generation and distribution comprise nearly half of the total impact of solid waste produced by one functional unit of Product X. The stand-alone format of this LCA serves to establish a simplified baseline of environmental impact. LCA insight can deliver a beneficial perspective by providing a comprehensive impact assessment so that future generations of product can be designed, measured, and improved against the forerunner. Following such a practice by considering total life cycle perspective is a characteristic of sustainability.