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Material Sustainability of Low-Energy Housing Electric Components: A Systematic Literature Review and Outlook

Author

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  • Francisco A. Carrasco

    (Cologne Institute for Renewable Energy (CIRE), Technische Hochschule Köln, 50679 Cologne, Germany)

  • Johanna F. May

    (Cologne Institute for Renewable Energy (CIRE), Technische Hochschule Köln, 50679 Cologne, Germany)

Abstract

As part of the energy transition, near-Zero-Energy-Buildings use electric systems that reduce emissions and consumption. Nevertheless, the increased use of such systems comes with the E-waste challenge. Circular Economy concepts try to make more efficient use of these materials, but sustainable evaluations mainly focus on energy and emissions. The developed automated text analysis tool quantifies the appearance of circularity concepts in open-access literature about different stages of production, use, and end-of-life for heat pumps, Lithium-Ion batteries, photovoltaic modules, and inverters. The energy focus is corroborated in different amounts depending on the component and stage, and when circularity concepts appear, they are centred on waste and recycling. Numerical variables to model environmental impact available in open-access literature are limited, generalised, or present in a wide range. Access to product environmental specifications should be encouraged to ensure that energy transition is sustainable in all its dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco A. Carrasco & Johanna F. May, 2025. "Material Sustainability of Low-Energy Housing Electric Components: A Systematic Literature Review and Outlook," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:852-:d:1573149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Selman Sevindik & Catalina Spataru & Teresa Domenech Aparisi & Raimund Bleischwitz, 2021. "A Comparative Environmental Assessment of Heat Pumps and Gas Boilers towards a Circular Economy in the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Ceran, Bartosz & Mielcarek, Agata & Hassan, Qusay & Teneta, Janusz & Jaszczur, Marek, 2021. "Aging effects on modelling and operation of a photovoltaic system with hydrogen storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    3. Greening, Benjamin & Azapagic, Adisa, 2012. "Domestic heat pumps: Life cycle environmental impacts and potential implications for the UK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 205-217.
    4. Andrea Mulazzani & Panagiotis Eleftheriadis & Sonia Leva, 2022. "Recycling c-Si PV Modules: A Review, a Proposed Energy Model and a Manufacturing Comparison," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
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    1. Wenxiao Chu & Maria Vicidomini & Francesco Calise & Neven Duić & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Qiuwang Wang, 2025. "Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Main Topics of Selected Papers in the 19th SDEWES Conference in 2024," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-17, September.

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