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Efthalia Chatzisymeon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Environmental sustainability of the solar photo fenton process for wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals mineralization at semi industrial scale
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Spyros Foteinis, J M Monteagudo, A Duran, Efthalia ChatzisymeonAbstract:The Environmental sustainability of a semi-industrial solar photo-Fenton reactor, treating real effluents emanating from a pharmaceutical laboratory, is assessed herein. The life cycle assessment/analysis (LCA) methodology was employed and real life cycle inventory (LCI) data was collected from a ferrioxalate-assisted homogeneous solar photo-Fenton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), at Ciudad Real, Spain. Electricity was provided by photovoltaic (PV) panels in tandem with a battery bank, making the plant autonomous from the local grid. The effective treatment of 1m3 of secondary-treated pharmaceutical wastewater, containing antipyrine, was used as a functional unit. The main Environmental hotspot was identified to be the chemical reagents used to enhance treatment efficiency, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and to a smaller degree oxalic acid. On the other hand, land use, PV panels, battery units, compound parabolic collectors (CPC), tanks, pipes and pumps, as materials, had a low contribution, ranging from as little as 0.06% up to about 2% on the total CO2eq emissions. Overall, the solar photo-Fenton process was found to be a sustainable technology for treating wastewater containing micropollutants at semi-industrial level, since the total Environmental Footprint was found to be 2.71kgCO2m-3 or 272mPtm-3, using IPCC 2013 and ReCiPe impact assessment methods, respectively. A sensitivity analysis revealed that if the excess of solar power is fed back into the grid then the total Environmental Footprint is reduced. Depending on the amount of solar power fed back into the grid the process could have a near zero total Environmental Footprint.
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Environmental sustainability of the solar photo fenton process for wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals mineralization at semi industrial scale
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Spyros Foteinis, J M Monteagudo, A Duran, Efthalia ChatzisymeonAbstract:Abstract The Environmental sustainability of a semi-industrial solar photo-Fenton reactor, treating real effluents emanating from a pharmaceutical laboratory, is assessed herein. The life cycle assessment/analysis (LCA) methodology was employed and real life cycle inventory (LCI) data was collected from a ferrioxalate-assisted homogeneous solar photo-Fenton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), at Ciudad Real, Spain. Electricity was provided by photovoltaic (PV) panels in tandem with a battery bank, making the plant autonomous from the local grid. The effective treatment of 1 m 3 of secondary-treated pharmaceutical wastewater, containing antipyrine, was used as a functional unit. The main Environmental hotspot was identified to be the chemical reagents used to enhance treatment efficiency, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and to a smaller degree oxalic acid. On the other hand, land use, PV panels, battery units, compound parabolic collectors (CPC), tanks, pipes and pumps, as materials, had a low contribution, ranging from as little as 0.06% up to about 2% on the total CO 2eq emissions. Overall, the solar photo-Fenton process was found to be a sustainable technology for treating wastewater containing micropollutants at semi-industrial level, since the total Environmental Footprint was found to be 2.71 kgCO 2 m − 3 or 272 mPt m − 3 , using IPCC 2013 and ReCiPe impact assessment methods, respectively. A sensitivity analysis revealed that if the excess of solar power is fed back into the grid then the total Environmental Footprint is reduced. Depending on the amount of solar power fed back into the grid the process could have a near zero total Environmental Footprint.
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life cycle assessment of solar driven oxidation as a polishing step of secondary treated urban effluents
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, I Michaelkordatou, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:BACKGROUND In this work, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is utilized to estimate the Environmental Footprint of solar Fenton oxidation at pilot scale used as a polishing step of secondary-treated urban effluents. All inputs (e.g. natural resources, raw materials, etc.) and outputs (e.g. emissions, etc.) of the process were quantitatively defined and/or estimated. The system under study includes raw materials, energy, land use, chemicals, local transportation needs, and air-/waterborne emissions. RESULTS The main Environmental hotspots of this system were identified (i.e. energy consumption and use of chemicals). The Environmental sustainability of this technology was found to be high, since its Environmental Footprint for the treatment of 1 m3 of wastewater was found to be only 8.7 kg CO2/m3, which is approx. 1.6% of the total CO2 emissions of the treatment of the daily effluents of a Cypriot resident. Nevertheless, alternative scenarios were investigated, in order to further enhance its overall Environmental performance. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the majority of the Environmental impacts of this process were attributed mainly to indirect emissions, tracing back to electricity generation, followed by the emissions from the chemicals’ used. The most critical improvement identified herein, is the use of a renewable energy source.
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the Environmental Footprint of a membrane bioreactor treatment process through life cycle analysis
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:Abstract This study includes an Environmental analysis of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), the objective being to quantitatively define the inventory of the resources consumed and estimate the emissions produced during its construction, operation and end-of-life deconstruction. The Environmental analysis was done by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, in order to establish with a broad perspective and in a rigorous and objective way the Environmental Footprint and the main Environmental hotspots of the examined technology. Raw materials, equipment, transportation, energy use, as well as air- and waterborne emissions were quantified using as a functional unit, 1 m 3 of urban wastewater. SimaPro 8.0.3.14 was used as the LCA analysis tool, and two impact assessment methods, i.e. IPCC 2013 version 1.00 and ReCiPe version 1.10, were employed. The main Environmental hotspots of the MBR pilot unit were identified to be the following: (i) the energy demand, which is by far the most crucial parameter that affects the sustainability of the whole process, and (ii) the material of the membrane units. Overall, the MBR technology was found to be a sustainable solution for urban wastewater treatment, with the construction phase having a minimal Environmental impact, compared to the operational phase. Moreover, several alternative scenarios and areas of potential improvement, such as the diversification of the electricity mix and the material of the membrane units, were examined, in order to minimize as much as possible the overall Environmental Footprint of this MBR system. It was shown that the energy mix can significantly affect the overall sustainability of the MBR pilot unit (i.e. up to 95% reduction of the total greenhouse gas emissions was achieved with the use of an Environmentally friendly energy mix), and the contribution of the construction and operational phase to the overall Environmental Footprint of the system.
Spyros Foteinis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Environmental sustainability of the solar photo fenton process for wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals mineralization at semi industrial scale
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Spyros Foteinis, J M Monteagudo, A Duran, Efthalia ChatzisymeonAbstract:The Environmental sustainability of a semi-industrial solar photo-Fenton reactor, treating real effluents emanating from a pharmaceutical laboratory, is assessed herein. The life cycle assessment/analysis (LCA) methodology was employed and real life cycle inventory (LCI) data was collected from a ferrioxalate-assisted homogeneous solar photo-Fenton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), at Ciudad Real, Spain. Electricity was provided by photovoltaic (PV) panels in tandem with a battery bank, making the plant autonomous from the local grid. The effective treatment of 1m3 of secondary-treated pharmaceutical wastewater, containing antipyrine, was used as a functional unit. The main Environmental hotspot was identified to be the chemical reagents used to enhance treatment efficiency, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and to a smaller degree oxalic acid. On the other hand, land use, PV panels, battery units, compound parabolic collectors (CPC), tanks, pipes and pumps, as materials, had a low contribution, ranging from as little as 0.06% up to about 2% on the total CO2eq emissions. Overall, the solar photo-Fenton process was found to be a sustainable technology for treating wastewater containing micropollutants at semi-industrial level, since the total Environmental Footprint was found to be 2.71kgCO2m-3 or 272mPtm-3, using IPCC 2013 and ReCiPe impact assessment methods, respectively. A sensitivity analysis revealed that if the excess of solar power is fed back into the grid then the total Environmental Footprint is reduced. Depending on the amount of solar power fed back into the grid the process could have a near zero total Environmental Footprint.
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Environmental sustainability of the solar photo fenton process for wastewater treatment and pharmaceuticals mineralization at semi industrial scale
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Spyros Foteinis, J M Monteagudo, A Duran, Efthalia ChatzisymeonAbstract:Abstract The Environmental sustainability of a semi-industrial solar photo-Fenton reactor, treating real effluents emanating from a pharmaceutical laboratory, is assessed herein. The life cycle assessment/analysis (LCA) methodology was employed and real life cycle inventory (LCI) data was collected from a ferrioxalate-assisted homogeneous solar photo-Fenton wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), at Ciudad Real, Spain. Electricity was provided by photovoltaic (PV) panels in tandem with a battery bank, making the plant autonomous from the local grid. The effective treatment of 1 m 3 of secondary-treated pharmaceutical wastewater, containing antipyrine, was used as a functional unit. The main Environmental hotspot was identified to be the chemical reagents used to enhance treatment efficiency, mainly hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and to a smaller degree oxalic acid. On the other hand, land use, PV panels, battery units, compound parabolic collectors (CPC), tanks, pipes and pumps, as materials, had a low contribution, ranging from as little as 0.06% up to about 2% on the total CO 2eq emissions. Overall, the solar photo-Fenton process was found to be a sustainable technology for treating wastewater containing micropollutants at semi-industrial level, since the total Environmental Footprint was found to be 2.71 kgCO 2 m − 3 or 272 mPt m − 3 , using IPCC 2013 and ReCiPe impact assessment methods, respectively. A sensitivity analysis revealed that if the excess of solar power is fed back into the grid then the total Environmental Footprint is reduced. Depending on the amount of solar power fed back into the grid the process could have a near zero total Environmental Footprint.
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life cycle assessment of solar driven oxidation as a polishing step of secondary treated urban effluents
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, I Michaelkordatou, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:BACKGROUND In this work, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is utilized to estimate the Environmental Footprint of solar Fenton oxidation at pilot scale used as a polishing step of secondary-treated urban effluents. All inputs (e.g. natural resources, raw materials, etc.) and outputs (e.g. emissions, etc.) of the process were quantitatively defined and/or estimated. The system under study includes raw materials, energy, land use, chemicals, local transportation needs, and air-/waterborne emissions. RESULTS The main Environmental hotspots of this system were identified (i.e. energy consumption and use of chemicals). The Environmental sustainability of this technology was found to be high, since its Environmental Footprint for the treatment of 1 m3 of wastewater was found to be only 8.7 kg CO2/m3, which is approx. 1.6% of the total CO2 emissions of the treatment of the daily effluents of a Cypriot resident. Nevertheless, alternative scenarios were investigated, in order to further enhance its overall Environmental performance. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the majority of the Environmental impacts of this process were attributed mainly to indirect emissions, tracing back to electricity generation, followed by the emissions from the chemicals’ used. The most critical improvement identified herein, is the use of a renewable energy source.
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the Environmental Footprint of a membrane bioreactor treatment process through life cycle analysis
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:Abstract This study includes an Environmental analysis of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), the objective being to quantitatively define the inventory of the resources consumed and estimate the emissions produced during its construction, operation and end-of-life deconstruction. The Environmental analysis was done by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, in order to establish with a broad perspective and in a rigorous and objective way the Environmental Footprint and the main Environmental hotspots of the examined technology. Raw materials, equipment, transportation, energy use, as well as air- and waterborne emissions were quantified using as a functional unit, 1 m 3 of urban wastewater. SimaPro 8.0.3.14 was used as the LCA analysis tool, and two impact assessment methods, i.e. IPCC 2013 version 1.00 and ReCiPe version 1.10, were employed. The main Environmental hotspots of the MBR pilot unit were identified to be the following: (i) the energy demand, which is by far the most crucial parameter that affects the sustainability of the whole process, and (ii) the material of the membrane units. Overall, the MBR technology was found to be a sustainable solution for urban wastewater treatment, with the construction phase having a minimal Environmental impact, compared to the operational phase. Moreover, several alternative scenarios and areas of potential improvement, such as the diversification of the electricity mix and the material of the membrane units, were examined, in order to minimize as much as possible the overall Environmental Footprint of this MBR system. It was shown that the energy mix can significantly affect the overall sustainability of the MBR pilot unit (i.e. up to 95% reduction of the total greenhouse gas emissions was achieved with the use of an Environmentally friendly energy mix), and the contribution of the construction and operational phase to the overall Environmental Footprint of the system.
Matthias Finkbeiner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the product Environmental Footprint communication at the crossroad integration into or co existence with the european ecolabel
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2020Co-Authors: Nikolay Minkov, Annekatrin Lehmann, Matthias FinkbeinerAbstract:Since 2013, the European Commission (EC) is developing and testing the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)—a product evaluation method, based on life cycle assessment (LCA). How and if PEF would be applied in communication and ecolabelling is still unclear; likewise, the scientific work on this matter is incomplete. This study aims to investigate the interface between PEF and the European Flower (EUF)—the European type I ecolabel—and to particularly examine scenarios for their co-existence and mutual supplement. The aim of this work is achieved by conducting an analysis of three case studies on three different product groups for which both Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) and European Ecolabel awarding criteria exist, namely, detergents, paints, and T-shirts. This includes a topic-based assessment and comparison of which life cycle stages, processes, and Environmental aspects they cover. Based on this inquiry, a reciprocal analysis of synergies, gaps, and potential conflicts of the PEFCR and the ecolabel is performed. Finally, concepts for achieving mutual benefits for both approaches are provided and proposals for a consistent integration of PEF results in business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) communication are developed. The results of the three case studies point out similarities and gaps between PEF and EUF, as well as methodological shortcomings of both approaches. Based on this, three perspectives (namely, PEF, EUF, and Joint perspectives) are explored. They represent possible combinations and co-existence between PEF and EUF and serve different communication needs (B2B, B2C, or both). Whereas the first two perspectives examine scenarios for integration of one approach into the other and their parallel co-existence, the Joint perspective proposes a hybrid approach (called ecolabel type IV). It is a combination of elements of type I and type III Environmental labels that allows for two different, but simultaneous product certifications depending on the end-user focus. In order to improve the current approaches for ecolabelling, the use of criteria that cover the complete life cycle is imperative. Still, tools that go beyond the calculation of an LCA profile and cover product-specific aspects are needed. The proposed hybrid ecolabel covers both aspects by combining PEF and EUF. It is believed to be a solution for the EC to operationalize PEF in communication and in parallel, to avoid further proliferation of ecolabels.
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benchmarking and Environmental performance classes in life cycle assessment development of a procedure for non leather shoes in the context of the product Environmental Footprint
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2015Co-Authors: Sarah Gul, Vanessa Bach, Annekatrin Lehmann, Michael Spielmann, Diana Eggers, Matthias FinkbeinerAbstract:In the process of developing Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR)—currently tested in various pilots in the Single Market for Green Products initiative of the European Commission—the definition of product category benchmarks and Environmental performance classes is a crucial element of each PEFCR. Whilst life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology developed over the last 20 years can be used for many other topics to be tackled in the pilots, there is a clear lack of methodology for the determination of benchmarks and Environmental performance classes. In this article, hence, we address this gap and develop a procedure for benchmarking and Environmental performance classes in LCA. To do this, given requirements and definitions of the PEF guidelines on both subjects are taken as a basis and are refined by using common LCA techniques like hot spot and sensitivity analyses. The specific steps of the procedure are applied systematically in a case study using sports shoes as an example. The resulting procedure involves the definition of a scenario vector, which is composed of relevant life cycle phases as well as the lifetime of the product (i.e. sports shoes) as variables. On the basis of the hot spot and sensitivity analyses, these variables are quantified, first, to generate the benchmark and, second, to determine the Environmental performance classes around the benchmark for each considered impact category individually. In addition, the influence of data uncertainty on the class distribution is assessed with the help of the Monte Carlo simulation. The results of the application in the case study demonstrate the high impact of the product’s lifetime on the final Environmental performance classes, and the importance of data quality. Limitations are identified regarding data availability and the harmonisation of the classes to potentially create a PEF label. A debate is induced on the validity of such a label when considering the fact that the characterisation methods and factors proposed in the PEF guidelines may not be complete or accurate enough.
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Product Environmental Footprint in policy and market decisions: Applicability and impact assessment
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 2015Co-Authors: Annekatrin Lehmann, Vanessa Bach, Matthias FinkbeinerAbstract:In April 2013, the European Commission published the Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint (PEF/OEF) methodology—a life cycle-based multicriteria measure of the Environmental performance of products, services, and organizations. With its approach of “comparability over flexibility,” the PEF/OEF methodology aims at harmonizing existing methods, while decreasing the flexibility provided by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards regarding methodological choices. Currently, a 3-y pilot phase is running, aiming at testing the methodology and developing product category and organization sector rules (PEFCR/OEFSR). Although a harmonized method is in theory a good idea, the PEF/OEF methodology presents challenges, including a risk of confusion and limitations in applicability to practice. The paper discusses the main differences between the PEF and ISO methodologies and highlights challenges regarding PEF applicability, with a focus on impact assessment. Some methodological aspects of the PEF and PEFCR Guides are found to contradict the ISO 14044 (2006) and ISO 14025 (2006). Others, such as prohibition of inventory cutoffs, are impractical. The evaluation of the impact assessment methods proposed in the PEF/OEF Guide showed that the predefined methods for water consumption, land use, and abiotic resources are not adequate because of modeling artefacts, missing inventory data, or incomplete characterization factors. However, the methods for global warming and ozone depletion perform very well. The results of this study are relevant for the PEF (and OEF) pilot phase, which aims at testing the PEF (OEF) methodology (and potentially adapting it) as well as addressing challenges and coping with them. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:417–424. © 2015 SETAC
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product Environmental Footprint breakthrough or breakdown for policy implementation of life cycle assessment
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014Co-Authors: Matthias FinkbeinerAbstract:Did you hear about the latest Footprint? It is not anymore about carbon Footprinting (Finkbeiner 2009) or water Footprinting (Kounina et al. 2013; Berger and Finkbeiner 2010); we now have to deal with Environmental Footprints. The EU Commission published the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF) methods (EU 2013a) as part of the Communication “Building the Single Market for Green Products” (EU 2013b). According to the documents released, the PEF and OEF methodologies build on existing life cycle assessment (LCA)-based methods and aim at harmonizing them. They purportedly aim at increasing comparability between products by predefining requirements for certain methodological aspects, thus decreasing the flexibility provided by ISO 14044 (2006). PEF and OEF were developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). But is PEF really the breakthrough for policy implementation of LCA? Close analysis of the PEF method reveals key concerns from the perspective of state-ofthe-art LCA practice and science. Rather than proposing a harmonized compromise of existing standards, it presents an entirely new one which is even in conflict with the existing ISO 14044 (2006). As such, PEF does not contribute to harmonization, but rather to confusion, proliferation, and mistrust. 1 Do we really need another Footprint?
Caitlin D Kuempel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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integrating life cycle and impact assessments to map food s cumulative Environmental Footprint
One Earth, 2020Co-Authors: Caitlin D Kuempel, Melanie Frazier, Kirsty L Nash, Nis Sand Jacobsen, David R Williams, Julia L BlanchardAbstract:Feeding a growing, increasingly affluent population while limiting Environmental pressures of food production is a central challenge for society. Understanding the location and magnitude of food production is key to addressing this challenge because pressures vary substantially across food production types. Applying data and models from life cycle assessment with the methodologies for mapping cumulative Environmental impacts of human activities (hereafter cumulative impact mapping) provides a powerful approach to spatially map the cumulative Environmental pressure of food production in a way that is consistent and comprehensive across food types. However, these methodologies have yet to be combined. By synthesizing life cycle assessment and cumulative impact mapping methodologies, we provide guidance for comprehensively and cumulatively mapping the Environmental pressures (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, spatial occupancy, and freshwater use) associated with food production systems. This spatial approach enables quantification of current and potential future Environmental pressures, which is needed for decision makers to create more sustainable food policies and practices.
Despo Fattakassinos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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life cycle assessment of solar driven oxidation as a polishing step of secondary treated urban effluents
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, I Michaelkordatou, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:BACKGROUND In this work, the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is utilized to estimate the Environmental Footprint of solar Fenton oxidation at pilot scale used as a polishing step of secondary-treated urban effluents. All inputs (e.g. natural resources, raw materials, etc.) and outputs (e.g. emissions, etc.) of the process were quantitatively defined and/or estimated. The system under study includes raw materials, energy, land use, chemicals, local transportation needs, and air-/waterborne emissions. RESULTS The main Environmental hotspots of this system were identified (i.e. energy consumption and use of chemicals). The Environmental sustainability of this technology was found to be high, since its Environmental Footprint for the treatment of 1 m3 of wastewater was found to be only 8.7 kg CO2/m3, which is approx. 1.6% of the total CO2 emissions of the treatment of the daily effluents of a Cypriot resident. Nevertheless, alternative scenarios were investigated, in order to further enhance its overall Environmental performance. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the majority of the Environmental impacts of this process were attributed mainly to indirect emissions, tracing back to electricity generation, followed by the emissions from the chemicals’ used. The most critical improvement identified herein, is the use of a renewable energy source.
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the Environmental Footprint of a membrane bioreactor treatment process through life cycle analysis
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Lida Ioannouttofa, Spyros Foteinis, Efthalia Chatzisymeon, Despo FattakassinosAbstract:Abstract This study includes an Environmental analysis of a membrane bioreactor (MBR), the objective being to quantitatively define the inventory of the resources consumed and estimate the emissions produced during its construction, operation and end-of-life deconstruction. The Environmental analysis was done by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, in order to establish with a broad perspective and in a rigorous and objective way the Environmental Footprint and the main Environmental hotspots of the examined technology. Raw materials, equipment, transportation, energy use, as well as air- and waterborne emissions were quantified using as a functional unit, 1 m 3 of urban wastewater. SimaPro 8.0.3.14 was used as the LCA analysis tool, and two impact assessment methods, i.e. IPCC 2013 version 1.00 and ReCiPe version 1.10, were employed. The main Environmental hotspots of the MBR pilot unit were identified to be the following: (i) the energy demand, which is by far the most crucial parameter that affects the sustainability of the whole process, and (ii) the material of the membrane units. Overall, the MBR technology was found to be a sustainable solution for urban wastewater treatment, with the construction phase having a minimal Environmental impact, compared to the operational phase. Moreover, several alternative scenarios and areas of potential improvement, such as the diversification of the electricity mix and the material of the membrane units, were examined, in order to minimize as much as possible the overall Environmental Footprint of this MBR system. It was shown that the energy mix can significantly affect the overall sustainability of the MBR pilot unit (i.e. up to 95% reduction of the total greenhouse gas emissions was achieved with the use of an Environmentally friendly energy mix), and the contribution of the construction and operational phase to the overall Environmental Footprint of the system.