Estimation of environmental impacts from renewable energy technologies for application in a multi-criteria decision model

Abstract

The share of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the passenger car stock has been steadily increasing over the last few years. This results in an increasing need for energy hubs and charging facilities along the road network. Addressing some of the required electric power demand by the integration of renewable energy technologies (RETs) to the road electric system could contribute towards a low-carbon transport. The method developed here contributes to a more informed decisions about the type of RETs to be selected by providing an overview on the environmental impact of the renewable energy generation associated with its core technology. By using life cycle assessment, the different RETs can be compared. The information is then intended to be used, along with other criteria, in a multi-criteria decision model to compare the applicable RETs for a given area