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Environmental Impact of Slovenian and Croatian Electricity Generation Using an Hourly Production-Based Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment Approach

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  • Jelena Topić Božič

    (Rudolfovo—Science and Technology Centre Novo Mesto, Podbreznik 15, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
    Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Šegova ulica 112, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia)

  • Ante Čikić

    (Department of Mechatronics, University North, 104. Brigade 3, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia)

  • Simon Muhič

    (Rudolfovo—Science and Technology Centre Novo Mesto, Podbreznik 15, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
    Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Šegova ulica 112, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
    Institute for Renewable Energy and Efficient Exergy Use, INOVEKS d.o.o, Cesta 2. Grupe Odredov 17, 1295 Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia)

Abstract

A temporal and dynamic approach to the environmental impact of electricity production is necessary to accurately determine its impact. This study aimed to assess the environmental impacts of domestic electricity generation technologies in Slovenia and Croatia using a production-based dynamic life cycle assessment approach for 2020–2024. Hourly resolved actual generation per production type from the ENTSO-E Transparency platform was used and mapped to the Ecoinvent electricity generation datasets. The results showed lower impacts in the climate change category, which correlated with periods of higher renewable contributions. The relative standard deviation values were 21.6% and 18.6% for Slovenia and Croatia, respectively. A higher average impact on resource use, minerals and metals was observed in the Croatian electricity production mix. In Slovenia, significant fluctuations in solar power generation led to a high coefficient of variation of 90.5% in the resource use, minerals and metals impact category, with higher values observed in summer owing to the seasonality of photovoltaic generation. Conversely, Croatia exhibited substantial hourly variability in wind power generation (6.0–629.3 MW), with a relative standard deviation of 18.9%. The results highlight the potential for optimizing the operation of flexible appliances and electric vehicle charging based on real-time emission intensity, contributing to lower environmental impacts through smarter energy use.

Suggested Citation

  • Jelena Topić Božič & Ante Čikić & Simon Muhič, 2025. "Environmental Impact of Slovenian and Croatian Electricity Generation Using an Hourly Production-Based Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4826-:d:1746980
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