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Sustainable energy storage for solar home systems in rural Sub-Saharan Africa – A comparative examination of lifecycle aspects of battery technologies for circular economy, with emphasis on the South African context

Author

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  • Charles, Rhys G.
  • Davies, Matthew L.
  • Douglas, Peter
  • Hallin, Ingrid L.
  • Mabbett, Ian

Abstract

Photovoltaics (PV) are increasingly important for electrification in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, but what is the best battery technology to use? To explore this question, a small-scale domestic PV system for South Africa (20-year lifetime) to deliver 1.42 kWh electricity from batteries overnight with 10-h discharge was costed with various Li-ion, Pb-acid and Aquion aqueous hybrid ion batteries (AHIBs). Environmental impact; compatibility with circular economy; potential for cost-reduction through lifetime extension; and valorisation of batteries at end-of-life is discussed. Batteries are 81–93% of system costs, and battery production required over the system lifetime would emit 743, 674 and 6060 kg CO2-eq (Pb-acid, Li-ion and AHIBs respectively). Hazardous materials in Li-ion and Pb-acid batteries pose risks at end-of-life. Li-ion and AHIBs face potential resource supply constraints due to use of Co, Li and graphite. Closed-loop recycling and refurbishment of Pb-acid batteries is well established in South Africa. Currently, no African facilities for Li-ion or AHIB recycling exist, with little opportunity to retain material value from these batteries within the region. Despite lower efficiencies and shorter lifetimes, Pb-acid batteries, which are readily available from domestic manufacturing at low cost, are the current best choice for sustainable small-scale domestic PV systems in South Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles, Rhys G. & Davies, Matthew L. & Douglas, Peter & Hallin, Ingrid L. & Mabbett, Ian, 2019. "Sustainable energy storage for solar home systems in rural Sub-Saharan Africa – A comparative examination of lifecycle aspects of battery technologies for circular economy, with emphasis on the South ," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1207-1215.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:166:y:2019:i:c:p:1207-1215
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.053
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. M. Andriamahefazafy & P. Failler, 2022. "Towards a Circular Economy for African Islands: an Analysis of Existing Baselines and Strategies," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    2. Stevovic, Ivan & Mirjanic, Dragoljub & Petrovic, Natasa, 2021. "Integration of solar energy by nature-inspired optimization in the context of circular economy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    3. Gláucya Daú & Annibal Scavarda & Luiz Felipe Scavarda & Vivianne Julianelli Taveira Portugal, 2019. "The Healthcare Sustainable Supply Chain 4.0: The Circular Economy Transition Conceptual Framework with the Corporate Social Responsibility Mirror," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Mao, Jiachen & Jafari, Mehdi & Botterud, Audun, 2022. "Planning low-carbon distributed power systems: Evaluating the role of energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).
    5. Stevović, Ivan & Mirjanić, Dragoljub & Stevović, Svetlana, 2019. "Possibilities for wider investment in solar energy implementation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 495-510.
    6. Emmanuel Shittu & Maria Kolokotroni & Valentina Stojceska, 2019. "Environmental Impact of the High Concentrator Photovoltaic Thermal 2000x System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Ayetor, G.K. & Mbonigaba, Innocent & Sunnu, Albert K. & Nyantekyi-Kwakye, Baafour, 2021. "Impact of replacing ICE bus fleet with electric bus fleet in Africa: A lifetime assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).

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