Assessment of the most energy consuming items in professional espresso coffee machines

Abstract

This paper discusses the first development of the industrial PhD project research project sponsored by Simonelli Group at Politecnico di Milano, aimed to develop and patent a heating system technology that enhances the energy efficiency of professional coffee machines. This paper crosses the issue of the sustainable design of products through a qualitative life cycle assessment on three professional coffee machines of Simonelli Group. The LCA analysis considers the manufacturing, use, and disposal phases. The analysis was performed using the Simapro software that integrates the Ecoinvent3 database. The life cycle impact assessment is carried out in accordance with other case studies in the literature, relying on the parameter "GWP" in accordance with the IPCC method. Laboratory tests are used to assess the kWh of energy consumed during the use phase of professional coffee machines. Following that,” use phase scenarios" were created for the life cycle impact assessment, based on existing scenarios in the literature, and elaborated with the company's marketing support. The findings indicate that the most critical environmental phase is the use phase and that the heating elements are the most energy-consuming items in professional coffee machines. Click here and insert your abstract text.