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Adapting Stand‐Alone Renewable Energy Technologies for the Circular Economy through Eco‐Design and Recycling

Author

Listed:
  • John Gallagher
  • Biswajit Basu
  • Maria Browne
  • Alan Kenna
  • Sarah McCormack
  • Francesco Pilla
  • David Styles

Abstract

Renewable energy (RE) technologies are looked upon favorably to provide for future energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the installation of these technologies requires large quantities of finite material resources. We apply life cycle assessment to 100 years of electricity generation from three stand‐alone RE technologies—solar photovoltaics, run‐of‐river hydro, and wind—to evaluate environmental burden profiles against baseline electricity generation from fossil fuels. We then devised scenarios to incorporate circular economy (CE) improvements targeting hotspots in systems’ life cycle, specifically (1) improved recycling rates for raw materials and (ii) the application of eco‐design. Hydro presented the lowest environmental burdens per kilowatt‐hour of electricity generation compared with other RE technologies, owing to its higher efficiency and longer life spans for main components. Distinct results were observed in the environmental performance of each system based on the consideration of improved recycling rates and eco‐design. CE measures produced similar modest savings in already low GHG emissions burdens for each technology, while eco‐design specifically had the potential to provide significant savings in abiotic resource depletion. Further research to explore the full potential of CE measures for RE technologies will curtail the resource intensity of RE technologies required to mitigate climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • John Gallagher & Biswajit Basu & Maria Browne & Alan Kenna & Sarah McCormack & Francesco Pilla & David Styles, 2019. "Adapting Stand‐Alone Renewable Energy Technologies for the Circular Economy through Eco‐Design and Recycling," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 133-140, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:23:y:2019:i:1:p:133-140
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jiandong Chen & Chong Xu & Yinyin Wu & Zihao Li & Malin Song, 2022. "Drivers and trajectories of China’s renewable energy consumption," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 313(1), pages 441-459, June.
    3. Mendoza, Joan Manuel F. & Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro & Velenturf, Anne P.M. & Jensen, Paul D. & Ibarra, Dorleta, 2022. "Circular economy business models and technology management strategies in the wind industry: Sustainability potential, industrial challenges and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    4. Pasquale Del Vecchio & Flavio Scrucca & Susanna Paoni & Grazia Barberio, 2025. "Eco‐design as Driver for Circular Economy: An ICESP's Empirical Investigation on Italian Firms," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 3717-3727, June.
    5. Jha, Amit Prakash & Mahajan, Aarushi & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Kumar, Piyush, 2022. "Renewable energy proliferation for sustainable development: Role of cross-border electricity trade," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 1189-1199.
    6. Mérida García, Aida & Gallagher, John & Rodríguez Díaz, Juan Antonio & McNabola, Aonghus, 2024. "An economic and environmental optimization model for sizing a hybrid renewable energy and battery storage system in off-grid farms," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    7. Ding, Ning & Zhang, Zhan & Yang, Jianxin & Li, Xinyu & Sun, Shouliang & Zhao, Siqi, 2026. "Implications for PV module ecodesign from a life cycle perspective under the framework of the EU ecodesign sustainable products regulation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PB).
    8. Cotrina-Teatino, Marco A. & Marquina-Araujo, Jairo J., 2025. "Circular economy in the mining industry: A bibliometric and systematic literature review," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    9. Varbanov, Petar Sabev & Wang, Bohong & Ocłoń, Paweł & Radziszewska-Zielina, Elżbieta & Ma, Ting & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír & Jia, Xuexiu, 2023. "Efficiency measures for energy supply and use aiming for a clean circular economy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    10. Kosmadakis, Ioannis E. & Elmasides, Costas & Koulinas, Georgios & Tsagarakis, Konstantinos P., 2021. "Energy unit cost assessment of six photovoltaic-battery configurations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 24-41.
    11. Anna Manuella Melo Nunes & Luiz Moreira Coelho Junior & Raphael Abrahão & Edvaldo Pereira Santos Júnior & Flávio José Simioni & Paulo Rotella Junior & Luiz Célio Souza Rocha, 2023. "Public Policies for Renewable Energy: A Review of the Perspectives for a Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-28, January.

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