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Silvia Bobba

Bio: Silvia Bobba is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Turin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Life-cycle assessment & Automotive industry. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 16 publications receiving 419 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of the analysis show that the manufacturing phase is relevant to all assessed impact categories (contribution higher than 60%) and the contribution to the use phase impact of battery efficiency is larger than that of battery transport.

160 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An adapted LCA is proposed based on the comparison of different scenarios from a life-cycle perspective and confirmed that the environmental benefits of adopting repurposed batteries to increase PV self-consumption in a house occur under specific conditions and that the benefits are more or less considerable depending on the impact category assessed.
Abstract: After their first use in electric vehicles (EVs), the residual capacity of traction batteries can make them valuable in other applications. Although reusing EV batteries remains an undeveloped market, second-use applications of EV batteries are in line with circular economy principles and the waste management hierarchy. Although substantial environmental benefits are expected from reusing traction batteries, further efforts are needed in data collection, modelling the life-cycle stages and calculating impact indicators to propose a harmonized and adapted life-cycle assessment (LCA) method. To properly assess the environmental benefits and drawbacks of using repurposed EV batteries in second-use applications, in this article an adapted LCA is proposed based on the comparison of different scenarios from a life-cycle perspective. The key issues for the selected life-cycle stages and the aspects and parameters to be assessed in the analysis are identified and discussed for each stage, including manufacturing, repurposing, reusing and recycling. The proposed method is applied to a specific case study concerning the use of repurposed batteries to increase photovoltaic (PV) self-consumption in a given dwelling. Primary data on the dwelling’s energy requirements and PV production were used to properly assess the energy flows in this specific repurposed scenario: both the literature search performed and the results obtained highlighted the relevance of modelling the system energy using real data, combining the characteristics of both the battery and its application. The LCA results confirmed that the environmental benefits of adopting repurposed batteries to increase PV self-consumption in a house occur under specific conditions and that the benefits are more or less considerable depending on the impact category assessed. Higher environmental benefits refer to impact categories dominated by the manufacturing and repurposing stages. Some of the most relevant parameters (e.g. residual capacity and allocation factor) were tested in a sensitivity analysis. The method can be used in other repurposing application cases if parameters for these cases can be determined by experimental tests, modelling or extracting data from the literature.

126 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A dynamic and parametrized MFA model describes the value-chain of batteries in Europe and indicates that second-use entails energy savings but also delays availability of secondary raw materials.
Abstract: Although not yet developed in Europe, second-use of traction batteries enables an extension of their lifetime and potentially improves life cycle environmental performance. Li-ion batteries (LIBs) offer the most promising chemistry for traction batteries in electric vehicles (xEVs) and for second-use. Due to the novelty of the topic and the expected increase of e-mobility in the next decades, more efforts to understand the potential consequences of second-use of batteries from different perspectives are needed. This paper develops a dynamic, parameterised Material Flow Analysis (MFA) model to estimate stocks and flows of LIBs after their removal from xEVs along the specific processes of the european value-chain. Direct reuse, second-use and recycling are included in the model and parameters make it customisable and updatable. Focusing on full and plug-in electric vehicles, LIBs and energy storage capacity flows are estimated. Stocks and flows of two embedded materials relevant for Europe were also assessed (cobalt and lithium). Results showed that second-use corresponds to a better exploitation of LIBs’ storage capacity. Meanwhile, Co and Li in-use stocks are locked in LIBs and their recovery is delayed by second-use; depending on the slower/faster development of second-use, the amount of Co available for recycling in 2030 ranges between 9% and 15% of Co demand and between 7 and 16% for Li. Uncertainty of inputs is addressed through sensitivity analysis. A variety of actors can use this MFA model to enhance knowledge of second-use of batteries in Europe and to support the effective management of LIBs along their value-chain.

89 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Sustainability Assessment of Second Life Applications of Automotive Batteries (SASLAB) exploratory research project of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) aims at developing and applying a methodology to analyse the sustainability of deploying electrified vehicles (xEV) batteries in second use applications.
Abstract: The Sustainability Assessment of Second Life Applications of Automotive Batteries (SASLAB) exploratory research project of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) aims at developing and applying a methodology to analyse the sustainability of deploying electrified vehicles (xEV) batteries in second use applications A mapping of industrial demonstration and publicly-funded research projects in the area is presented, followed by an experimental assessment of the capacity and impedance change of lithium-ion cells during calendar and cycle ageing Fresh cells and cells aged in the laboratory, as well as under real-world driving conditions, have been characterised to understand their application-specific remaining lifetime, beyond the 70% to 80% end-of-first-use criterion For this purpose, pre-aged cells were examined under duty-cycles that resemble those of second use grid-scale applications

62 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 2017-Energy
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the environmental performance of an SOFC fueled with sewage biogas and compare it with traditional technologies (internal combustion engines and microturbines) using the same fuel.

61 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A classification framework to understand what indicators measure is proposed and none of the analysed indicators focuses on the preservation of functions.
Abstract: Circular Economy (CE) is a growing topic, especially in the European Union, that promotes the responsible and cyclical use of resources possibly contributing to sustainable development. CE is an umbrella concept incorporating different meanings. Despite the unclear concept, CE is turned into defined action plans supported by specific indicators. To understand what indicators used in CE measure specifically, we propose a classification framework to categorise indicators according to reasoning on what (CE strategies) and how (measurement scope). Despite different types, CE strategies can be grouped according to their attempt to preserve functions, products, components, materials, or embodied energy; additionally, indicators can measure the linear economy as a reference scenario. The measurement scope shows how indicators account for technological cycles with or without a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach; or their effects on environmental, social, or economic dimensions. To illustrate the classification framework, we selected quantitative micro scale indicators from literature and macro scale indicators from the European Union 'CE monitoring framework'. The framework illustration shows that most of the indicators focus on the preservation of materials, with strategies such as recycling. However, micro scale indicators can also focus on other CE strategies considering LCT approach, while the European indicators mostly account for materials often without taking LCT into account. Furthermore, none of the available indicators can assess the preservation of functions instead of products, with strategies such as sharing platforms, schemes for product redundancy, or multifunctionality. Finally, the framework illustration suggests that a set of indicators should be used to assess CE instead of a single indicator.

517 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined technologies and research efforts in battery recycling from the perspective of economic viability and life cycle inventory, and comments on the challenges facing battery recycling, and the role of battery design and circular economy in the sustainable development of battery industry where governments, manufacturers and consumers all play a part.

323 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a focus review summarising best metrological practice in the application of EIS to commercial Li-ion cells is presented, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of the technique.

259 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review summarizes the different types of FCs, including the advantages and disadvantages of each, and compares FCs to conventional power generation systems to illustrate their relative environmental benefits.

233 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for supercapacitor electrode applications is presented, in which the recyclable MOF-hydrolyzing strategy is introduced, during which the organic ligands can be recollected to drastically reduce the costs.

229 citations