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Evaluation of energy technologies to realize sustainable systems
Author(s) -
Matsuhashi Ryuji,
Ishitani Hisashi
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
electrical engineering in japan
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.136
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1520-6416
pISSN - 0424-7760
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6416(20000130)130:2<25::aid-eej4>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - sustainability , environmental economics , greenhouse gas , life cycle assessment , resource depletion , sustainable development , index (typography) , photovoltaic system , resource (disambiguation) , energy consumption , energy (signal processing) , environmental degradation , emerging technologies , environmental resource management , environmental science , computer science , production (economics) , engineering , economics , electrical engineering , ecology , computer network , statistics , mathematics , artificial intelligence , biology , world wide web , political science , law , macroeconomics
Abstract Degradation of the global environment and depletion of resources are threatening sustainable development of mankind. In particular, climate change caused by increasing greenhouse gases is one of the most serious issues in analyzing energy systems. This paper aims at proposing frameworks to investigate sustainability and at evaluating technologies for sustainable energy systems. For this purpose, we first define the index of sustainable limits on resource depletion and emissions. Sustainability of mineral and energy resources is evaluated based on the index. Estimations indicate that energy resources and CO 2 are unsustainable, and that we should introduce technologies to reduce energy consumption and CO 2 emissions. Life cycle energy requirements are assessed for photovoltaic systems as representatives of the technologies. Through the life cycle assessment, we quantitatively evaluate measures to improve life cycle energy requirements and capital costs. At the same time, we clarify the direction of research and development required for technologies to realize sustainable energy systems. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 130(2): 25–31, 2000