Unintended Consequences of Renewable Energy

Problems to be Solved

verfasst von: Otto Andersen

Verlag: Springer London

Buchreihe : Green Energy and Technology

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Energy technologies in the future will need to be based on renewable sources of energy and will, ultimately, need to be sustainable. This book provides insight into unintended, negative impacts and how they can be avoided. In order to steer away from the pitfalls and unintended effects, it is essential that the necessary knowledge is available to the developers and decision makers engaged in renewable energy. The value of this book lies in its presentation of the unintended health and environmental impacts from renewable energies.

The book presents results from cross-disciplinary research on the implementation of alternative fuels in the transport sector, namely hydrogen, electricity and biodiesel. This is followed by an assessment of environmental impacts from the production of solar cells. Critical reviews on the use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in the energy technologies is then provided, with the formation of nanoparticles during combustion of bio-blended diesel and their toxic effects, discussed in detail.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction: What are Unintended Consequences of Renewable Energy and How Can They be Predicted?

Abstract

This introductory chapter describes the concept of unintended consequences, as well as methods and approaches that can be applied to identify the unintended consequences of renewable energy. The chapter includes a brief introduction to consequential life cycle assessment (cLCA), the study of rebound effects, and assessment of environmental impacts, so-called environmental impact assessment (EIA). Also included are other forms of relevant modeling, including molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). The types of unintended consequences addressed in this book are defined with special attention being paid to their impacts on health and the environment. The main renewable technologies covered in the book are also defined.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 2. Rebound Effects

Abstract

Rebound effects, also known as take-back effects, refer to the behavioral or systemic responses that can be experienced after a new technology or policy measure has been implemented. Such rebound effects have been experienced from efforts to reduce energy use, climate emissions, and other pollutants as well as polluting behavior. This chapter presents a detailed account of the concept of rebound effects and presents examples of different areas where rebound effects are observed. The chapter also discusses the usefulness and limitations of the concept rebound effects in relation to improving the knowledge of the unintended consequences of renewable energy. Finally, potential rebound effects connected to nanomaterials used in new types of energy harvesting technologies are presented.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 3. Consequential Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment

Abstract

This chapter describes the life cycle approach to energy chain analysis and the methodology of life cycle assessment (LCA). Consequential LCA (cLCA) is discussed in comparison with attributional LCA (aLCA). The methodological approach of environmental impact assessment (EIA) is also presented. The methods, with emphasis on cLCA, are discussed in the context of improving the knowledge of unintended consequences from various forms of renewable energy. The chapter presents a series of examples where cLCA are used to predict in advance, unanticipated impacts of different forms of renewable energy technologies throughout their life cycle, with particularly focus on the impact of biofuels production.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 4. Implementation of Hydrogen Gas as a Transport Fuel

Abstract

There are high expectations for the use of hydrogen as a transport fuel in the future. However, as this chapter will show, sometimes these expectations are unrealistic, and are based on industrial actors’ own agendas and strategies. The implementation of hydrogen energy in Norway has been heavily supported with governmental and industrial funding through the Hydrogen-road HyNor, but without expected advances in fuel cell technology and carbon capture and storage (CCS), the implementation has been rather limited. Residential opposition of hydrogen filling stations, because of health and safety concerns thwarted a pilot scheme in London, as will be shown. The life cycle GHG emissions from today’s hydrogen fuels are high, in addition, the consequences from leakage of hydrogen gas from future production and distribution systems are potentially damaging to the stratospheric ozone layer.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 5. Biodiesel and its Blending into Fossil Diesel

Abstract

This chapter examines the various unintended consequences of biodiesel production including loss of biodiversity and shortfalls in GHG reductions. An account of biodiesel impacts in comparison to fossil diesel is followed by a critical review of the common practice of using additives to improve biodiesel performance in the winter. Many of these additives have negative, or unknown effects on human health and the environment. In this respect, biodiesel is an environmentally “friendly” fuel that creates environmental problems. An additional aspect of biodiesel use is the practice of blending the fuel with fossil diesel. Common in Europe, USA, and Canada, blending is done in order to comply with policy targets for increasing the share of transport fuels based on renewable energy sources. Results obtained from advanced modeling, designed to predict future consequences of the blending practice are then presented in this chapter. These include molecular dynamics simulations indicating that new toxic nanoparticles are being formed in the exhaust pipes of vehicles run on bio-blended diesel. This represents a likely mechanism for the increased exhaust mutagenicity of bio-blended diesel observed in other studies.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 6. Towards the Use of Electric Cars

Abstract

In this chapter, the historical development in the use of electric cars is described within a global content as occuring in five evolutions or waves, since 1835. The last two waves are described in more detail through the following case studies, the French VEL car and the Norwegian THINK car. They each had their own series of setbacks including. Problems in electro-chemistry, which have caused important limitations, as they have through the whole history of electrical cars. Unintended consequences in the form of increased human toxicity, freshwater eco-toxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and metal depletion, from potential increases in the future number of electric vehicles, are explained. Finally, a critical view on the policies for promoting the use of electric cars is presented.

Otto Andersen

Chapter 7. Solar Cell Production

Abstract

Producing electricity by harvesting solar energy in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells can, as we will see, lead to serious unintended consequences. It is the manufacturing of the PV that causes the most evident impacts on health and the environment. The large consumption of water for rinsing wafers between etching steps, creates a subsequent need for wastewater treatment facilities. Production of the cells also leads to additional emissions of fluorinated compounds, such as hexafluoroethane (C₂F₆), nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). These are all extremely strong greenhouse gases, with global warming potentials (GWPs) of 9,200, 17,200, and 39,800 times that of CO₂. These emissions from PV manufacturing are worth serious consideration, as they are counter to the prevailing idea that solar PV cells are a very “green” energy technology. In fact, massive production of new PV solar panels will imply huge global emissions of greenhouse gases. Alternative, lower GHG emitting production processes are being developed, but they rely on the use of very toxic and explosive gases, such as fluorine (F₂).

Otto Andersen

Chapter 8. Final Discussion and Conclusions

Abstract

As has been shown, the development of renewable energy is connected to a large number of negative, unintended consequences. However, it is critical to also consider the reduction of energy use, as a key issue in this discussion, irrespective of whether the energy is taken from renewable or nonrenewable sources. This was touched upon in Chap. 2, which illustrated the unintended consequences of energy-efficiency measures and the rebound effects of other actions aiming to reduce energy consumption.

Otto Andersen

Titel: Unintended Consequences of Renewable Energy
verfasst von: Otto Andersen
Verlag: Springer London
Electronic ISBN: 978-1-4471-5532-4
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-5531-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5532-4