Showing papers by "Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) published in 2019"

A review of multi-criteria decision making approaches for evaluating energy storage systems for grid applications

Abstract: Energy storage systems (ESS) are seen as one of the main pillars for a renewable-based energy system. Selecting the most suitable and sustainable ESS for a given project is a problem that involves multiple stakeholders with quite often diverging objectives that cannot all be fulfilled by a single technology. Several studies are available that tackle this problem applying multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). However, these use very different Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) approaches, criteria and goals for decision support, why their results are difficult to compare or to reproduce. This work presents a review of existing MCDA-literature using MADM as a tool for sustainability evaluation of grid-tied ESS. Available studies are summarized, the goals, used MADM methods, and quantification of criteria are analyzed and discussed to provide tentative recommendations. The reviewed studies cover multiple technologies ranging from electrochemical, mechanical or electric ESS. Considered criteria are mainly structured around technology, economy, society, and environment, comprising a high number of individual sub-criteria. The aggregation of these criteria is mainly realized through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in combination with a wide set of other methods. The quantification of various criteria is often based on different literature sources wherein context-free data for cost, and environmental impacts are used, leading in some cases to inconsistent comparisons in the assessments. Only in a few cases, assessments are linked to specific application requirements, which are decisive factors for the design of an ESS. A minority of the reviewed works include a representative set of decision-makers in their approaches, wherein the number or type of participants is often not communicated transparently. Therefore, most of the studies are considered to have a limited orientation towards practical decision making, but they provide valuable information regarding MADM method development.

Microalgae for integrated food and fuel production

Abstract: Microalgae have a great potential for the sustainable production of food and fuel for a growing world population with increasing demands and changing habits. Since they are cultivated in technical systems, they do not contribute to land use competition, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution like other food and energy crops. Despite these advantages, the commercialization of algae technology is still in an infant stage. Algae fuel production has so far failed due to low oil prices and lack of economic viability. However, integrated food and fuel production is considered promising because the food market is more diversified and open to new and innovative products than the energy market. Integrated food and fuel production from microalgae can not only achieve higher returns on investment but also greater acceptance than fuel production alone. From the sociotechnical point of view, it is however crucial that the integrated algae production system will fulfill the promises of health and sustainability. To achieve this, a codesign approach is used, considering public perception and the views, knowledge and values of citizens and stakeholders already at an early stage in the research and innovation process.

From semi to fully autonomous vehicles: New emerging risks and ethico-legal challenges for human-machine interactions

Abstract: The provision of an adequate liability regime for ADAS technologies is an essential prerequisite for its roll out over the coming decade. Facing to the challenge of future highly automated vehicles, this paper proposed a Human-Machine Transition (HMT) approach as a common conceptual framework for considering Human Machine Interaction (HMI), liability and ethical issues in a unified way. The issues that arise are interrogated from a legal perspective, more specifically liability regimes and that of applied ethics. The paper highlights the issue of the handover/takeover. Potential consequences for insurance companies are then identified accordingly, with the aim to progress towards the sustainable deployment of automated vehicles on public roads.

Factors Affecting Microalgae Production for Biofuels and the Potentials of Chemometric Methods in Assessing and Optimizing Productivity

Abstract: Microalgae are swift replicating photosynthetic microorganisms with several applications for food, chemicals, medicine and fuel. Microalgae have been identified to be suitable for biofuels production, due to their high lipid contents. Microalgae-based biofuels have the potential to meet the increasing energy demands and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the present state of technology does not economically support sustainable large-scale production. The biofuel production process comprises the upstream and downstream processing phases, with several uncertainties involved. This review examines the various production and processing stages, and considers the use of chemometric methods in identifying and understanding relationships from measured study parameters via statistical methods, across microalgae production stages. This approach enables collection of relevant information for system performance assessment. The principal benefit of such analysis is the identification of the key contributing factors, useful for decision makers to improve system design, operation and process economics. Chemometrics proffers options for time saving in data analysis, as well as efficient process optimization, which could be relevant for the continuous growth of the microalgae industry.

A life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of oxymethylene ether as a diesel additive produced from forest biomass

Abstract: Due to efforts to reduce dependence on limited fossil energy reserves and increasing GHG emissions related to fossil fuel extraction and use in transportation vehicles, renewable fuel use is growing rapidly By adding renewable oxygenated fuel additives such as oxymethylene ether (OME) to conventional diesel, combustion GHG emissions can be reduced significantly without modifications to vehicle engines However, life cycle sustainability assessments (LCSA) of OME production and its use with diesel are scarce The objective of this paper is to develop an LCSA model of OME production from forest biomass to be used in vehicles as a diesel additive This study conducts an LCSA of OME production from two types of forest biomass as feedstock, whole tree and forest residue A framework was developed to assess environmental, economic, and social impacts of unit operations along the life cycle for a functional unit of 1 MJ of heat produced from OME Then, PROMITHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment and Evaluation) was used to rank and select the best sustainable pathway for OME production and the most sustainable OME-diesel blend based on a number of indicators Based on the sustainability assessments results, the forest residue pathway is found to be more sustainable than the whole tree pathway In addition, the environmental, economic, and social impact results for different OME-diesel blends show that a blend of 10% OME in 90% diesel is the most sustainable fuel mix Assuming that the GHG emissions from biofuel combustion are offset by CO2 sequestered during plant growth, the biomass production operation contributes the highest global GHG emissions in the OME life cycle; this is due to the high energy intensity of harvesting operations for both pathways (13 gCO2eq/MJ for whole tree and 713 gCO2eq/MJ for forest residue) OME production costs are higher for the whole tree (192 $/L) than the forest residue pathway (171 $/L) All the social indicators (ie, employment potential and employee wages and benefits) are more favorable in the forest residue pathway We conducted sensitivity analyses by varying parameters such as sustainability impact weights, threshold values, and indicator impact values We then determined the parameters’ impacts on overall ranking to verify the robustness of the model This model can be used to assess and rank other energy technologies that integrate environmental, economic, and social sustainability impacts and thereby contribute to policy-making for the energy industry

Values in University-Industry Collaborations: The Case of Academics Working at Universities of Technology.

Abstract: In the applied sciences and in engineering there is often a significant overlap between work at universities and in industry. For the individual scholar, this may lead to serious conflicts when working on joint university–industry projects. Differences in goals, such as the university’s aim to disseminate knowledge while industry aims to appropriate knowledge, might lead to complicated situations and conflicts of interest. The detailed cases of two electrical engineers and two architects working at two different universities of technology illustrate the kinds of problems individual scholars face in university–business collaborations. These cases are based on qualitative interviews and additional data and demonstrate that, while value conflicts emerge on the organizational level, it is primarily the individual researcher who must deal with such conflicts. This analysis adds to existing studies in two ways: first, it explicitly addresses normative issues framed in terms of ethical and social values, thereby going beyond the common social-science perspective of university–business collaboration. Secondly, it provides qualitative insights, thereby identifying details and issues not apparent in quantitative studies. In particular, it is evident that university–industry collaborations are prone to value conflicts not only in research but also in education and job training.

Taking responsibility: A responsible research and innovation (RRI) perspective on insurance issues of semi-autonomous driving

Abstract: Semi-autonomous driving is an emerging – though not unprecedented – technology which cannot necessarily be seen as safe and reliably accident-free. Insurance companies thus play an important role as influential stakeholders in the negotiation and implementation processes around this new technology. They can either push the technology (e.g. by offering beneficial, promotional insurance models for semi-autonomous car owners) or constrain it (e.g. by providing restrictive insurance models or no insurance cover at all). Insurers face questions concerning ethical or societal consequences on various levels: not only when it comes to promoting the technology – whose impact is not yet certain and may range from saving to endangering lives – but also with respect to insurance models such as “pay as you drive”, which may involve discriminatory elements. The concept of responsible research and innovation (RRI) is well suited to accompanying and guiding insurers, policy makers and other stakeholders in this field through a responsible negotiation process that may prove beneficial for everyone. Part of the RRI approach is to make stakeholders aware of “soft” factors such as the ethical, societal or historical factors which influence innovation and of the need to include these aspects in their activities responsibly.

Building actor-centric transformative capacity through city-university partnerships

Abstract: Cities worldwide are rising to the challenge of sustainable development, calling for large-scale and fast-paced transformations towards sustainability. Urban sustainability challenges are now being reframed as a lack of capacity of individuals and organizations to carry out such socio-technical transformations. This article expands on transformative capacity literature by elucidating the concept of actor-centric transformative capacity. It focuses on the unique role city-university partnerships (CUPs) can play in catalyzing and supporting effective urban sustainability transformations. Two case studies on CUPs in Portland, Oregon and Tempe, Arizona are used to identify determinants of actor-centric transformative capacity, their role in the transformative capacity of urban systems, and how they are built through CUPs. The article concludes with strategies for building effective CUPs capable of building actor-centric transformative capacity among university actors and city administrators.

The inherently democratic nature of technology assessment

Abstract: Technology assessment (TA) emerged more than fifty years ago to provide information supply, decision support, and orientation for democratic processes and institutions in many democratic countries. This historical observation alone, however, does not justify speaking of an inherent relationship between TA and democracy. The latter requires taking a conceptual view. Arguments supporting the thesis of the inherently democratic nature of TA will be given based on pragmatist approaches developed by John Dewey and Jürgen Habermas. This perspective on TA has specific implications for the inclusion of the knowledge and perspectives of stakeholders, people affected and citizens involved in TA processes, as well as the necessity to develop or strengthen thinking in alternative options. Furthermore, it makes clear that in the current crisis of democracy in many countries, TA cannot take a distant and neutral position.

A review of hard carbon anode materials for sodium-ion batteries and their environmental assessment

Abstract: Sodium-ion batteries are increasingly being promoted as a promising alternative to current lithium-ion batteries. The substitution of lithium by sodium offers potential advantages under environmental aspects due to its higher abundance and availability. However, sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries cannot rely on graphite for the anodes, requiring amorphous carbon materials (hard carbons). Since no established market exists for hard carbon anode materials, these are synthesised individually for each Na-ion battery from selected precursors. The hard carbon anode has been identified as a relevant driver for environmental impacts of sodium-ion batteries in a recent work, where a significant improvement potential was found by minimising the impacts of the hard carbon synthesis process. In consequence, this work provides a detailed process model of hard carbon synthesis processes as basis for their environmental assessment. Starting from a review of recent studies about hard carbon synthesis processes from different precursors, three promising materials are evaluated in detail. For those, the given laboratory synthesis processes are scaled up to a hypothetical industrial level, obtaining detailed energy and material balances. The subsequent environmental assessment then quantifies the potential environmental impacts of the different hard carbon materials and their potential for further improving the environmental performance of future Na-ion batteries by properly selecting the hard carbon material. Especially organic waste materials (apple pomace) show a high potential as precursor for hard carbon materials, potentially reducing environmental impacts of Na-ion cells between 10 and 40% compared to carbohydrate (sugar) based hard carbons (the hard carbon material used by the current reference work). Waste tyres are also found to be a promising hard carbon precursor, but require a more complex pre-treatment prior to carbonisation, why they do not reach the same performance as the pomace based one. Finally, hard carbons obtained from synthetic resins, another promising precursor, score significantly worse. They obtain results in the same order of magnitude as the sugar based hard carbon, mainly due to the high emissions and energy intensity of the resin production processes.

Responsible research and innovation in Germany–between sustainability and autonomy

Abstract: In the German S&T community, the term RRI is virtually unknown although its constituent parts (inclusion, reflection, transparency and anticipation) are widely discussed as part of the debate on su...

The Importance of Recyclability for the Environmental Performance of Battery Systems

Abstract: While several studies about the environmental impacts of batteries exist, the end-of-life stage is often disregarded and the relevance of battery reuse or recycling not quantified. However, the end-of-life phase of battery storage systems is highly relevant for their overall environmental performance. In order to quantify this relevance, we extend existing LCA studies by an end-of life model and assess the influence of battery recycling for the life cycle impact of three different battery types. These include a lithium-ion battery (LIB), a vanadium-redox-flow battery (VRFB) and an aqueous hybrid ion battery (AHIB), all for stationary energy storage services (renewable support). The results show that a high recyclability can improve the environmental performance of the batteries over their life cycle significantly. This underlines the need for a design for recyclability of batteries for minimising environmental impacts of battery systems and the corresponding loss of valuable resources.

The role of long-term planning in nuclear waste governance

Abstract: A central challenge in nuclear waste governance is the long time frame over which institutional control of the waste is needed. Most countries favour some kind of underground storage of the...

Technology Assessment of Socio-Technical Futures: A Discussion Paper

Abstract: Problem: Visions of technology, future scenarios, guiding visions (Leitbilder) represent imaginations of future states of affairs that play a functional role in processes of technological research, development and innovation—e.g. as a means to create attention, communication, coordination, or for the strategic exertion of influence. Since a couple of years there is a growing attention for such imaginations of futures in politics, the economy, research and the civil society. This trend concerns technology assessment (TA) as an observer of these processes and a consultant on the implications of technology and innovation. TA faces increasing demands to assess imaginations of futures that circulate in the present and to participate in shaping these through scenarios or foresights. More than ever, this raises the question, which propositions can be made based on these imaginations by TA and how this can be used in advisory practices. Imaginations of futures are relevant for TA not as predictions but in their significance and effectiveness in the present, which need to be understood and assessed.

A Viability Study of Renewables and Energy Storage Systems Using Multicriteria Decision Making and an Evolutionary Approach

Abstract: Renewable energy technologies use natural sources, such as wind and solar, to produce electricity. Nowadays, there is a global sustainable electric power generation pressure to alleviate environmental impacts caused by the usage of fossil fuels. Energy market is focused on improving those technologies by meeting customer needs, but it proves to be challenging. Renewable power production integrated with a Hybrid Micro-Grid System (HMGS), a power distribution system composed of one or more distributed sources, may provide a reliable and cost-effective solution. This paper proposes a grid-connected HMGS model able of planning energy production and operating in parallel autonomously or connected on a public grid. The optimization of such HMGS is done using a swarm evolutionary approach and the results are obtained using different battery technologies. A life cycle assessment model and a multi-criteria decision making approach are carried out to perform a viability study of the battery technologies. Wind and solar meteorological data from four regions in the Minas Gerais state, Brazil, were used as input for the model. Results show that lithium ion batteries are the most recommendable ones, ensuring not only the minimal cost and losses in the system but also minimizing the environmental impact.

Multi-Level Governance of Nuclear Waste Disposal

Abstract: The long-time interim storage and the search for a nuclear disposal site are entwined in a complex multi-level governance (MLG) system of different interests and values. In this chapter, we try to explain why the political multi-level system made up of the German Federal Government (Bund), the federal state governments (Bundeslander), regional governments, local authorities and municipalities is characterised by contradictions and is not yet well prepared to deal with this challenge. We argue that involving the general public, municipalities and the regions of potential sites at an early stage must be an integral part of the siting process in order to avoid NIMBY (not in my backyard) and conflicts in the affected or potentially affected regions.

The Capability Approach as a normative framework for technology assessment

Abstract: The digital revolution of the energy system promises a new sustainable energy future, but risks security and privacy. How to balance or at least compare these risks against other values like more sustainability is far from obvious and poses severe challenges for the orientation knowledge of technology assessment (TA). This paper explores the Capability Approach (CA) as a normative orientation for TA that allows addressing these challenges. We use two scenarios for the current digitalization in the energy sector as case studies.

The Olympia Declaration.

Abstract: Yannis P. Pitsiladis, MMEDSci, PhD; Manolis Abatzis-Papadopoulos, MD, MSc; Nemer Ali, MD; Stelios Aggeloudis, LLB; Caroline Atkinson, BSc, MBA; Beatrice Constandache, MD; Yuri Ganus, ML, MEng; Nikos Geladas, PhD; Savvas I. Giakoumakis, MD, PhD; Rüştü Güner, MD, PhD, PhD; David Howman, BA, LLB; Giscard Humberto Oliveira Lima, MSc; Evgeny Khristenko, MSA; Maria Koskolou, PhD; Vassilis Klissouras, BSc, MSc, DPE; Miltos Ladikas, PhD; Sigmund Loland, PhD; Michael J. McNamee, PhD; Borja Muñiz Pardos, PhD; Konstantinos Natsis, MD, PhD, BSc, FFIMS, FEBSM; Peter Nicholson, LLM, MBA; Jonathan Ospina Betancurt, PhD; Konstantinos Angeloudis, MSc, BSc; Evangelos Pappas, MD, PhD, MSc; Maksim Peteraitis, BA; Andrea Petróczi, PhD, PhD; Theodora Papadopoulou, PhD, MD; Fabio Pigozzi, MD, PhD; Martial Saugy, PhD; Perikles Simon, MD, PhD; Patrick Singleton, BA; Ekaterina Sizikova, MMS; Pierre-Edouard Sottas, PhD; Masashi Tanaka, PhD, MD; Guan Wang, PhD; and Huanming Yang, PhD

On visions and promises — ethical aspects of in vitro meat

Abstract: Innovators of in vitro meat (IVM) are convinced that this approach is the solution for problems related to current meat production and consumption, especially regarding animal welfare and environmental issues. However, the production conditions have yet to be fully clarified and there is still a lack of ethical discourses and critical debates on IVM. In consequence, discussion about the ethical justifiability and desirability of IVM remains hypothetical and we have to question those promises. This paper addresses the complex ethical aspects associated with IVM and the questions of whether, and under what conditions, the production of IVM represents an ethically justifiable solution for existing problems, especially in view of animal welfare, the environment, and society. There are particular hopes regarding the benefits that IVM could bring to animal welfare and the environment, but there are also strong doubts about their ethical benefits.

Dis/orientations on driverless driving and autonomous vehicles?

Abstract: The debate about self-driving cars is part of a wider story about the potentials and dangers of autonomous systems and AI technology in general. Concerning the question whether autonomous driving w...

Shaping the Present by Creating and Reflecting Futures

Abstract: It is a commonly used rhetoric phrase that we develop ideas how to shape the future and that we shape the future exactly by implementing those ideas. However, what does it mean to “shape the future”? We are only able to intervene into the present, by communication, by action, or by decisions to be made. These interventions then might have consequences for future developments or events. Thus, the phrase should better be reformulated: we do not shape the future itself but we intervene into present constellations and thereby influence future developments more or less indirectly. As far as we use socio-technical futures as orientation to identify appropriate interventions into present constellations-as usually is done by technology assessment—we can speak of futures contributing to shape the present. It means that in present time we create futures supporting us to shape the present.

Transport demand models in a changing world –Individuals between econometric rationalities and social network obligations

Abstract: The particular framing of standard transport demand models is reliable in capturing well-known cause-effect relations and impacts of transport measures, where there is sufficient knowledge available regarding the behavioral implications of that particular intervention. However, simulation models are increasingly used to give statements about future states of the transport system, which are typically characterized by many uncertainties and scientific controversies. One approach to deal with these uncertainties is to apply a network perspective. New modelling approaches have been developed, based on the idea that individual transport choices are not made in isolation, but influenced by the agents’ social network. The paper at hand provides a review of ongoing approaches to incorporate social networks into transport demand models and discuss them from a social-science-based mobility research perspective. The paper concludes with a conceptual framework to understand social life in general as networked and presents a categorization of different sorts of relationships. We argue that this categorization is crucial to understand effects of stability and change in the process of socio-technical transitions as well as to analyze determinants of situational transport choices.

Technology Assessment in a Globalized World

Abstract: The interaction between science and policy is affected by increasingly dissolving boundaries whereby a number of issues arise, such as, what should political advice for national parliaments consist of in the face of global socio-technical developments? The Internet of Things in relation to Big Data resulting in enormously fast analysis of huge amounts of data, accelerates the dissolution of boundaries between science, society and policy at global level. This type of “globalization” raises questions that concern very diverse and intimate areas of life, ranging from food to health to work automation. How can access to science and technology in very different societal settings can be enabled, while also accounting for global developments? The article deals with the assumption that global effects of science and technology as well as global challenges lead to an urgent need to develop methodologies for analyzing and also shaping these developments. Under the umbrella term “Global Technology Assessment” (Global TA) it is argued that the problem-oriented, interdisciplinary methodology of technology assessment offers a promising frame to deal with cultural and ethical questions in relation to emerging technologies. This framework is needed in order to be able to develop meaningful national comparisons, but also in order to be able to approach the analysis of common future challenges on equal footing.

In vitro Meat: The Normative Power of a Vision in the Innovation and Transformation Process

Abstract: The current production of meat and the high meat consumption have negative effects on humans, animals and the environment. A sustainable reorientation of mass production and mass consumption is not possible. However, a technological solution is in sight: in vitro meat is presented as an innovation which may solve the problems of today’s meat production and consumption without giving up on meat. We interviewed experts and stakeholders and confronted them with the vision of this innovation. The results of these interviews provide an insight in current visions and imaginations of possible futures that shows which particular challenges result from assessing the emerging technology in vitro meat, also beyond in vitro meat itself.

Designing technology in the age of digitalization: needs for technology assessment and ethics

Abstract: Abstract Technology research, design, and development is confronted with rapidly advancing digitalization in two respects: (1) digitally supported or enabled technologies need to be designed and developed, and (2) the respective R&D processes themselves will happen in a much more digitalized environment. Technology design generally must take into account the values involved and possible consequences of the development and use of the resulting products, services, and systems. In a digitalizing environment, the issue of values gains even more significance because more and more close and intimate interfaces between humans and technology have to be shaped. Designing human-machine interfaces is not only a functional issue but touches upon ethical questions such as the distribution of responsibility, but also upon anthropological issues related to the human self-image and ideas about future society as well. In the respective research, design, and development processes, value-laden issues such as control, privacy, empathy, responsibility, and accountability must be taken into account beyond technical issues of efficiency and reliability. The need for designing and shaping digital future technologies involving ethics and technology assessment will be demonstrated by three examples: future industrial production and the fields of self-driving cars and care robots. Value sensitive design and responsible research and innovation will be introduced as approaches to deal with these challenges.