Abstract
The quantification of the energy and environmental performance of alternative energy sources is key for sound energy policy making. With the multitude of available methods and indicators, it is crucial to critically review them to see what information is conveyed by each, and whether it is suitable for the purpose to which it is applied (e.g., comparison amongst alternative electricity generation technologies). Dr. Raugei’s talk will reflect on the critical assessment of the life-cycle Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) and Energy Return On Investment (EROI) of PVs compared to conventional thermal electricity. A thorough methodological introduction will be followed by up-to-date results for current PV and thermal systems, and an outlook on the lingering challenges for our energy future.
Biography
Dr. Marco Raugei holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences from the University of Siena (Italy), and is currently Senior Research Fellow and Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Faculty of Technology, Design and the Environment, Oxford Brookes University (UK), as well as an active collaborator of the Center for Life Cycle Analysis, Columbia University, New York (USA), and UNESCO Chain in Life Cycle and Climate Change of ESCI – Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona (Spain).
He is also a technical representative in the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems (PVPS) Programme Task 12 (www.iea-pvps-task12.org), and a member of the Global Warming task force on Global guidance on environmental life cycle impact assessment indicators of the UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative (http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org).
Dr. Raugei has worked on several EU, national and international research projects on Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Net Energy Analysis (NEA), environmental management and sustainability analysis. His main research interests and the core of his research activity to date have been in the theoretical improvement of existing approaches for environmental sustainability assessment, taking into account a wide range of viewpoints and methods, and their application to energy systems and the development of strategic energy supply scenarios, with special focus on photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
Dr. Raugei’s scientific activity is documented in over 25 scientific papers in peer-reviewed international journals, as well as over 60 documents amongst conference proceedings, reports, scientific books and encyclopaedias.