Life cycle impact assessment of home energy management systems (HEMS) using dynamic emissions factors for electricity in Finland

Journal Article · Wed Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 2017 · Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2017.08.009· OSTI ID:22701689

Louis, Jean-Nicolas; Pongrácz, Eva

Decarbonising the European economy is a long-term goal in which the residential sector will play a significant role. Smart buildings for energy management are one means of decarbonisation, by reducing energy consumption and related emissions. This study investigated the environmental impacts of smart house automation using life cycle impact assessment. The ReCiPe method was selected for use, in combination with dynamic emissions factors for electricity in Finland. The results indicated that a high level of technology deployment may be counter-effective, due to high electricity consumption by the sensor network, automation system and computing devices. The results also indicated that number of inhabitants per household directly affected the environmental impacts of home automation. A single-person household saw its environmental impacts increase by 15%, while those of a five-person household increased by 3% in the worst-case scenario. The manufacturing phase contributed the major share of environmental impacts, exceeding the use phase in multiple categories. These findings indicate that finding the sweet spot in which technology can promote decarbonisation will be crucial to achieving the goal of a low‑carbon economy. - Highlights: •HEMS did not reduce the overall environmental impact of households. •Environmental impacts of HEMS are greater for single inhabitant households. •Energy efficiency of sensing devices must drastically increase to promote decarbonisation. •The highest life cycle environmental impacts of electronics are during the manufacturing phase. •Raising awareness is a critical part in decreasing the environmental impact of households.

• OSTI ID: 22701689
• Journal Information: Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Journal Name: Environmental Impact Assessment Review Vol. 67; ISSN 0195-9255; ISSN EIARDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
AUTOMATION
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FINLAND
HOUSEHOLDS
LIFE CYCLE