Abstract
In this paper, a possibility to reduce the environmental burdens by employing thermoelectric generators (TEGs) was analyzed with a cradle-to-grave LCA approach. An upscaling technique was newly introduced to assess the environmental impacts of TEGs over its life cycle. In addition to CO2 emissions, other environmental impacts as well as social impacts were assessed using the Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method based on Endpoint Modeling (LIME2). The analysis was conducted under two scenarios, a baseline scenario with a 7.2% conversion efficiency and a technology innovation scenario with that of 17.7% at different production scales. The results showed that while GHG emissions were positive over the life cycle under the baseline scenario, it became negative (−1.56 × 102 kg-CO2 eq/kg) under the technology innovation scenario due to GHG credits in the use phase. An increase in the conversion efficiency of the TEG and a decrease in the amount of stainless steel used in TEG construction are both necessary in order to reduce the environmental impacts associated with TEG manufacture and use. In addition, to accurately assess the benefit of TEG deployment, the lifetime driving distance needs to be analyzed together with the conversion efficiency.
Highlights
Yoshiki Shimomura andThe use of fossil fuels to generate electricity has had a variety of negative impacts on our society, primarily in the form of atmospheric pollution and global warming
As shown in the figure, as the electricity consumption of the electric furnace and hot press are reduced as the production scale increases, the electricity consumption of the ball mill increases
Case 4, which was characterized by a relative decrease in electricity consumption by the electric furnace and hot press compared to the increase in electricity consumption by the ball mill over the production scale, was optimal for the production scale
Summary
The use of fossil fuels to generate electricity has had a variety of negative impacts on our society, primarily in the form of atmospheric pollution and global warming. The global consumption of oil increased from 95 million barrels per day in 2014 to 100 million barrels in 2018 [1]. The cost of electricity has been increasing in recent years due to the limited supply of oil and economic and political factors [2]. Using carbon-free renewable energy, which can be retrieved from sources such as RF Frequency) radiation, geothermal, solar, and other natural sources, and converting this energy into electricity has attracted considerable attention [1]. Thermal energy is abundantly available and has numerous sources, including electronic devices (phones, computers, and other electronic devices), automobiles, buildings, and air conditioners
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