2022
Tsinarakis, George; Sarantinoudis, Nikolaos; Arampatzis, George
A Discrete Process Modelling and Simulation Methodology for Industrial Systems within the Concept of Digital Twins Journal Article
In: Applied Sciences, vol. 12, no. 2, 2022, ISSN: 2076-3417.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{app12020870,
title = {A Discrete Process Modelling and Simulation Methodology for Industrial Systems within the Concept of Digital Twins},
author = {George Tsinarakis and Nikolaos Sarantinoudis and George Arampatzis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/2/870},
doi = {10.3390/app12020870},
issn = {2076-3417},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Applied Sciences},
volume = {12},
number = {2},
abstract = {A generic well-defined methodology for the construction and operation of dynamic process models of discrete industrial systems following a number of well-defined steps is introduced. The sequence of steps for the application of the method as well as the necessary inputs, conditions, constraints and the results obtained are defined. The proposed methodology covers the classical offline modelling and simulation applications as well as their online counterpart, which use the physical system in the context of digital twins, with extensive data exchange and interaction with sensors, actuators and tools from other scientific fields as analytics and optimisation. The implemented process models can be used for what-if analysis, comparative evaluation of alternative scenarios and for the calculation of key performance indicators describing the behaviour of the physical systems under given conditions as well as for online monitoring, management and adjustment of the physical industrial system operations with respect to given rules and targets. An application of the proposed methodology in a discrete industrial system is presented, and interesting conclusions arise and are discussed. Finally, the open issues, limitations and future extensions of the research are considered.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A generic well-defined methodology for the construction and operation of dynamic process models of discrete industrial systems following a number of well-defined steps is introduced. The sequence of steps for the application of the method as well as the necessary inputs, conditions, constraints and the results obtained are defined. The proposed methodology covers the classical offline modelling and simulation applications as well as their online counterpart, which use the physical system in the context of digital twins, with extensive data exchange and interaction with sensors, actuators and tools from other scientific fields as analytics and optimisation. The implemented process models can be used for what-if analysis, comparative evaluation of alternative scenarios and for the calculation of key performance indicators describing the behaviour of the physical systems under given conditions as well as for online monitoring, management and adjustment of the physical industrial system operations with respect to given rules and targets. An application of the proposed methodology in a discrete industrial system is presented, and interesting conclusions arise and are discussed. Finally, the open issues, limitations and future extensions of the research are considered.
Kouloumpis, Victor; Azapagic, Adisa
A model for estimating life cycle environmental impacts of offshore wind electricity considering specific characteristics of wind farms Journal Article
In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol. 29, pp. 495-506, 2022, ISSN: 2352-5509.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{KOULOUMPIS2022495,
title = {A model for estimating life cycle environmental impacts of offshore wind electricity considering specific characteristics of wind farms},
author = {Victor Kouloumpis and Adisa Azapagic},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550921003067},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.10.024},
issn = {2352-5509},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},
volume = {29},
pages = {495-506},
abstract = {Offshore wind electricity is becoming an important source of renewable energy due to its global warming potential (GWP). However, the GWP can vary significantly, depending on many factors, including the capacity of the installation, distance from the shore, supporting structure and maintenance requirements. Currently, there is a lack of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that take these specific conditions into account. As a consequence, developers and policy makers rely on average GWP values which could lead to inaccurate estimates of the GWP and other impacts. To address this gap, this paper presents a new model for estimating the life cycle impacts of offshore wind electricity taking into account specific technical characteristics of individual installations and whole wind farms. Aimed at non-experts, the model provided freely with this paper is developed in Excel and follows the ISO 14040/44 LCA methodology. Supported by the built-in background LCA databases, it requires users to specify only a few key characteristics of an existing or proposed installation, thus facilitating quick and yet robust estimations of impacts. Eleven impacts can be considered, including GWP, depletion of resources, human toxicity and eco-toxicities. The application of the model is illustrated by quantifying the LCA impacts of 20 offshore wind farms (OWF) operating in the UK. The results show that the impacts vary considerably with the specific characteristics of OWF, including the age, type and size of wind turbines, their capacity and distance from the shore. For example, the GWP ranges by a factor of three (6.4–19.5 g CO2 eq./kWh) and the other impacts by a factor of 2.2–3.2. The developed model can be used by designers, developers and policy makers to customise the inputs for a specific OWF and estimate the impacts quickly and cost-efficiently, without the need for prior expertise in LCA and extensive data collection.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Offshore wind electricity is becoming an important source of renewable energy due to its global warming potential (GWP). However, the GWP can vary significantly, depending on many factors, including the capacity of the installation, distance from the shore, supporting structure and maintenance requirements. Currently, there is a lack of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that take these specific conditions into account. As a consequence, developers and policy makers rely on average GWP values which could lead to inaccurate estimates of the GWP and other impacts. To address this gap, this paper presents a new model for estimating the life cycle impacts of offshore wind electricity taking into account specific technical characteristics of individual installations and whole wind farms. Aimed at non-experts, the model provided freely with this paper is developed in Excel and follows the ISO 14040/44 LCA methodology. Supported by the built-in background LCA databases, it requires users to specify only a few key characteristics of an existing or proposed installation, thus facilitating quick and yet robust estimations of impacts. Eleven impacts can be considered, including GWP, depletion of resources, human toxicity and eco-toxicities. The application of the model is illustrated by quantifying the LCA impacts of 20 offshore wind farms (OWF) operating in the UK. The results show that the impacts vary considerably with the specific characteristics of OWF, including the age, type and size of wind turbines, their capacity and distance from the shore. For example, the GWP ranges by a factor of three (6.4–19.5 g CO2 eq./kWh) and the other impacts by a factor of 2.2–3.2. The developed model can be used by designers, developers and policy makers to customise the inputs for a specific OWF and estimate the impacts quickly and cost-efficiently, without the need for prior expertise in LCA and extensive data collection.
2021
Kalaboukas, Kostas; Rožanec, Joze; Košmerlj, Aljaž; Kiritsis, Dimitris; Arampatzis, George
Implementation of Cognitive Digital Twins in Connected and Agile Supply Networks—An Operational Model Journal Article
In: Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 9, 2021, ISSN: 2076-3417.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{app11094103,
title = {Implementation of Cognitive Digital Twins in Connected and Agile Supply Networks—An Operational Model},
author = {Kostas Kalaboukas and Joze Rožanec and Aljaž Košmerlj and Dimitris Kiritsis and George Arampatzis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/9/4103},
doi = {10.3390/app11094103},
issn = {2076-3417},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Applied Sciences},
volume = {11},
number = {9},
abstract = {Supply chain agility and resilience are key factors for the success of manufacturing companies in their attempt to respond to dynamic changes. The circular economy, the need for optimized material flows, ad-hoc responses and personalization are some of the trends that require supply chains to become “cognitive”, i.e., able to predict trends and flexible enough in dynamic environments, ensuring optimized operational performance. Digital twins (DTs) is a promising technology, and a lot of work is done on the factory level. In this paper, the concept of cognitive digital twins (CDTs) and how they can be deployed in connected and agile supply chains is elaborated. The need for CDTs in the supply chain as well as the main CDT enablers and how they can be deployed under an operational model in agile networks is described. More emphasis is given on the modelling, cognition and governance aspects as well as on how a supply chain can be configured as a network of connected CDTs. Finally, a deployment methodology of the developed model into an example of a circular supply chain is proposed.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Supply chain agility and resilience are key factors for the success of manufacturing companies in their attempt to respond to dynamic changes. The circular economy, the need for optimized material flows, ad-hoc responses and personalization are some of the trends that require supply chains to become “cognitive”, i.e., able to predict trends and flexible enough in dynamic environments, ensuring optimized operational performance. Digital twins (DTs) is a promising technology, and a lot of work is done on the factory level. In this paper, the concept of cognitive digital twins (CDTs) and how they can be deployed in connected and agile supply chains is elaborated. The need for CDTs in the supply chain as well as the main CDT enablers and how they can be deployed under an operational model in agile networks is described. More emphasis is given on the modelling, cognition and governance aspects as well as on how a supply chain can be configured as a network of connected CDTs. Finally, a deployment methodology of the developed model into an example of a circular supply chain is proposed.
Angelis-Dimakis, Athanasios; Arampatzis, George; Pieri, Tryfonas; Solomou, Konstantina; Dedousis, Panagiotis; Apostolopoulos, George
SWAN platform: A web-based tool to support the development of industrial solid waste reuse business models Journal Article
In: Waste Management & Research, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 489-498, 2021, (PMID: 33570022).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{doi:10.1177/0734242X21989413,
title = {SWAN platform: A web-based tool to support the development of industrial solid waste reuse business models},
author = {Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis and George Arampatzis and Tryfonas Pieri and Konstantina Solomou and Panagiotis Dedousis and George Apostolopoulos},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X21989413},
doi = {10.1177/0734242X21989413},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Waste Management & Research},
volume = {39},
number = {3},
pages = {489-498},
abstract = {The SWAN platform is an integrated suite of online resources and tools for assessing industrial symbiotic opportunities based on solid industrial waste reuse. It has been developed as a digital solid waste reuse platform and is already applied in four countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Cyprus). The SWAN platform integrates a database with the spatial and technical characteristics of industrial solid waste producers and potential consumers, populated with data from these countries. It also incorporates an inventory of commercially implemented best practices on solid industrial waste reuse. The role of the SWAN platform is to facilitate the development of novel business cases. Towards this end, decision support services, based on a suitable matching algorithm, are provided to the registered users, helping them to identify and assess potential novel business models, based on solid waste reuse, either for an individual industrial unit (source/potential receiver of solid waste) or a specific region.},
note = {PMID: 33570022},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The SWAN platform is an integrated suite of online resources and tools for assessing industrial symbiotic opportunities based on solid industrial waste reuse. It has been developed as a digital solid waste reuse platform and is already applied in four countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Cyprus). The SWAN platform integrates a database with the spatial and technical characteristics of industrial solid waste producers and potential consumers, populated with data from these countries. It also incorporates an inventory of commercially implemented best practices on solid industrial waste reuse. The role of the SWAN platform is to facilitate the development of novel business cases. Towards this end, decision support services, based on a suitable matching algorithm, are provided to the registered users, helping them to identify and assess potential novel business models, based on solid waste reuse, either for an individual industrial unit (source/potential receiver of solid waste) or a specific region.
Belgacem, Wajdi; Mattas, Konstadinos; Arampatzis, George; Baourakis, George
Changing Dietary Behavior for Better Biodiversity Preservation: A Preliminary Study Journal Article
In: Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 6, 2021, ISSN: 2072-6643.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{nu13062076,
title = {Changing Dietary Behavior for Better Biodiversity Preservation: A Preliminary Study},
author = {Wajdi Belgacem and Konstadinos Mattas and George Arampatzis and George Baourakis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2076},
doi = {10.3390/nu13062076},
issn = {2072-6643},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {13},
number = {6},
abstract = {Broadly consumed dietary patterns, such as the European and Western ones, are exerting pressures on biodiversity both in Europe and globally, and shifting toward a sustainable dietary pattern has thus become a must. This paper constitutes a preliminary communication of the results of a research project on the issue. In this study, the pressures of three dietary patterns (European, Western, and Mediterranean) on biodiversity are addressed in terms of land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication impact indicators. The environmental impacts are calculated based on a compositional analysis of each dietary pattern and the environmental footprints of the corresponding food groups. Food balance sheets published by the FAO are used as a basis for the compositional analysis, while the environmental footprints of each of the representative food products are retrieved from related life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The results show that a shift from the European to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 10 m2/capita/day land savings, 240 L/capita/day water savings, 3 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 20 gPO4eq/capita/day reductions in eutrophication potential. Likewise, a shift from the Western to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 18 m2/capita/day land savings, 100 L/capita/day water savings, 4 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 16 gPO4eq/capita/day reduction in eutrophication potential. Based on these findings, it is clear that this shift is urgently needed as a step toward environmentally sustainable dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean one, to preserve biodiversity for future generations.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Broadly consumed dietary patterns, such as the European and Western ones, are exerting pressures on biodiversity both in Europe and globally, and shifting toward a sustainable dietary pattern has thus become a must. This paper constitutes a preliminary communication of the results of a research project on the issue. In this study, the pressures of three dietary patterns (European, Western, and Mediterranean) on biodiversity are addressed in terms of land use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and eutrophication impact indicators. The environmental impacts are calculated based on a compositional analysis of each dietary pattern and the environmental footprints of the corresponding food groups. Food balance sheets published by the FAO are used as a basis for the compositional analysis, while the environmental footprints of each of the representative food products are retrieved from related life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. The results show that a shift from the European to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 10 m2/capita/day land savings, 240 L/capita/day water savings, 3 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 20 gPO4eq/capita/day reductions in eutrophication potential. Likewise, a shift from the Western to the Mediterranean dietary pattern would lead to 18 m2/capita/day land savings, 100 L/capita/day water savings, 4 kg CO2/capita/day reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and 16 gPO4eq/capita/day reduction in eutrophication potential. Based on these findings, it is clear that this shift is urgently needed as a step toward environmentally sustainable dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean one, to preserve biodiversity for future generations.
2020
Kouloumpis, Victor; Kalogerakis, Antonios; Pavlidou, Anastasia; Tsinarakis, George; Arampatzis, George
Should Photovoltaics Stay at Home? Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Assessment on Roof-Mounted and Ground-Mounted Photovoltaics Journal Article
In: Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 21, 2020, ISSN: 2071-1050.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{su12219120,
title = {Should Photovoltaics Stay at Home? Comparative Life Cycle Environmental Assessment on Roof-Mounted and Ground-Mounted Photovoltaics},
author = {Victor Kouloumpis and Antonios Kalogerakis and Anastasia Pavlidou and George Tsinarakis and George Arampatzis},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/21/9120},
doi = {10.3390/su12219120},
issn = {2071-1050},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Sustainability},
volume = {12},
number = {21},
abstract = {Renewable energy technologies like photovoltaics may be considered an indispensable component of a low-carbon electricity mix, but social acceptance should not be taken for granted. For instance, in Greece there are still claims, especially in rural areas, regarding the land use and the competition against more traditional economic activities such as grazing. An argument in favor of confining to roof-mounted photovoltaic installations is the additional infrastructure requirements for ground-mounted larger-scale photovoltaics. These requirements reduce and could potentially negate their environmental benefits. The aim of this study is to investigate the life cycle environmental impacts of commercial ground-mounted photovoltaic farms and compare them against residential roof-mounted photovoltaic installations. Data were gathered for a 500 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic installation and for five roof-mounted installations of 10 kW capacity, each from the same area at the prefecture of Pella in Northern Greece. An LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) was performed and results show that panel production is the main contributor for both types and that ground-mounted photovoltaics—when no transmission/distribution infrastructure is considered—have lower impacts than the roof-mounted residential photovoltaic installations for all impact categories except terrestrial ecotoxicity. However, when located further than 10.22 km from grid connection, ground-mounted photovoltaics have higher impacts for almost all environmental impact categories.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Renewable energy technologies like photovoltaics may be considered an indispensable component of a low-carbon electricity mix, but social acceptance should not be taken for granted. For instance, in Greece there are still claims, especially in rural areas, regarding the land use and the competition against more traditional economic activities such as grazing. An argument in favor of confining to roof-mounted photovoltaic installations is the additional infrastructure requirements for ground-mounted larger-scale photovoltaics. These requirements reduce and could potentially negate their environmental benefits. The aim of this study is to investigate the life cycle environmental impacts of commercial ground-mounted photovoltaic farms and compare them against residential roof-mounted photovoltaic installations. Data were gathered for a 500 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic installation and for five roof-mounted installations of 10 kW capacity, each from the same area at the prefecture of Pella in Northern Greece. An LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) was performed and results show that panel production is the main contributor for both types and that ground-mounted photovoltaics—when no transmission/distribution infrastructure is considered—have lower impacts than the roof-mounted residential photovoltaic installations for all impact categories except terrestrial ecotoxicity. However, when located further than 10.22 km from grid connection, ground-mounted photovoltaics have higher impacts for almost all environmental impact categories.
Tsinarakis, George J; Spanoudakis, Polychronis S; Arabatzis, George; Tsourveloudis, Nikos C; Doitsidis, Lefteris
Implementation of a Petri-net based Digital Twin for the development procedure of an Electric Vehicle Inproceedings
In: 2020 28th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation (MED), pp. 862-867, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@inproceedings{9182784,
title = {Implementation of a Petri-net based Digital Twin for the development procedure of an Electric Vehicle},
author = {George J Tsinarakis and Polychronis S Spanoudakis and George Arabatzis and Nikos C Tsourveloudis and Lefteris Doitsidis},
doi = {10.1109/MED48518.2020.9182784},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
urldate = {2020-01-01},
booktitle = {2020 28th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation (MED)},
pages = {862-867},
abstract = {In the current work the development procedure (design, manufacture and assembly) of an electric vehicle is considered. Uncertainties make difficult to follow initial time plan, so monitoring of the development procedure is necessary. To handle delays a method using Petri nets to model the tasks of the development procedure and their dependencies is introduced. The model is not used offline as a passive element but is connected and interacts with the physical system (development procedure). Based on the information exchange between physical and digital system, alternative ways to overcome delays are studied and the optimal solution is calculated, tested and applied. Results are provided according to different scenarios, in order to show the efficiency and applicability of the proposed method.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In the current work the development procedure (design, manufacture and assembly) of an electric vehicle is considered. Uncertainties make difficult to follow initial time plan, so monitoring of the development procedure is necessary. To handle delays a method using Petri nets to model the tasks of the development procedure and their dependencies is introduced. The model is not used offline as a passive element but is connected and interacts with the physical system (development procedure). Based on the information exchange between physical and digital system, alternative ways to overcome delays are studied and the optimal solution is calculated, tested and applied. Results are provided according to different scenarios, in order to show the efficiency and applicability of the proposed method.
2019
Arampatzis, G; Stathatou, P-M; Scaloubakas, P; Assimacopoulos, D
Supporting decisions for the application of combined natural and engineered systems for water treatment and reuse Journal Article
In: International Journal of Decision Support Systems, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 96-114, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{doi:10.1504/IJDSS.2019.104566,
title = {Supporting decisions for the application of combined natural and engineered systems for water treatment and reuse},
author = {G Arampatzis and P-M Stathatou and P Scaloubakas and D Assimacopoulos},
url = {https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJDSS.2019.104566},
doi = {10.1504/IJDSS.2019.104566},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {International Journal of Decision Support Systems},
volume = {4},
number = {2},
pages = {96-114},
abstract = {Combined natural and engineered systems (cNES) for water/wastewater treatment are well suited for application in many rural and semi-rural areas, especially those with water demand and wastewater production peaks related to tourism, farming and their nexus. The planning, implementation and operation of cNES is not a trivial task. A decision support system for the implementation of cNES, based on a user-oriented approach, is presented. Decision support is organised not into tools or tasks, but into a set of services targeted all potential user types, identified and parameterised through user's analysis. Six decision-making stages identified, leading to the specification of three generic types of services: 1) an information service, based on a knowledge repository; 2) a suite of tools service, implemented as a sustainable ecosystem of decision support tools; 3) a guidance service, based on a knowledge reasoning system that identifies typical application cases and produces analytic roadmaps towards achieving user goals.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Combined natural and engineered systems (cNES) for water/wastewater treatment are well suited for application in many rural and semi-rural areas, especially those with water demand and wastewater production peaks related to tourism, farming and their nexus. The planning, implementation and operation of cNES is not a trivial task. A decision support system for the implementation of cNES, based on a user-oriented approach, is presented. Decision support is organised not into tools or tasks, but into a set of services targeted all potential user types, identified and parameterised through user's analysis. Six decision-making stages identified, leading to the specification of three generic types of services: 1) an information service, based on a knowledge repository; 2) a suite of tools service, implemented as a sustainable ecosystem of decision support tools; 3) a guidance service, based on a knowledge reasoning system that identifies typical application cases and produces analytic roadmaps towards achieving user goals.
Milousi, Maria; Souliotis, Manolis; Arampatzis, George; Papaefthimiou, Spiros
Evaluating the Environmental Performance of Solar Energy Systems Through a Combined Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis Journal Article
In: Sustainability, vol. 11, no. 9, 2019, ISSN: 2071-1050.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{su11092539,
title = {Evaluating the Environmental Performance of Solar Energy Systems Through a Combined Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis},
author = {Maria Milousi and Manolis Souliotis and George Arampatzis and Spiros Papaefthimiou},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2539},
doi = {10.3390/su11092539},
issn = {2071-1050},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Sustainability},
volume = {11},
number = {9},
abstract = {The paper presents a holistic evaluation of the energy and environmental profile of two renewable energy technologies: Photovoltaics (thin-film and crystalline) and solar thermal collectors (flat plate and vacuum tube). The selected renewable systems exhibit size scalability (i.e., photovoltaics can vary from small to large scale applications) and can easily fit to residential applications (i.e., solar thermal systems). Various technical variations were considered for each of the studied technologies. The environmental implications were assessed through detailed life cycle assessment (LCA), implemented from raw material extraction through manufacture, use, and end of life of the selected energy systems. The methodological order followed comprises two steps: i. LCA and uncertainty analysis (conducted via SimaPro), and ii. techno-economic assessment (conducted via RETScreen). All studied technologies exhibit environmental impacts during their production phase and through their operation they manage to mitigate significant amounts of emitted greenhouse gases due to the avoided use of fossil fuels. The life cycle carbon footprint was calculated for the studied solar systems and was compared to other energy production technologies (either renewables or fossil-fuel based) and the results fall within the range defined by the global literature. The study showed that the implementation of photovoltaics and solar thermal projects in areas with high average insolation (i.e., Crete, Southern Greece) can be financially viable even in the case of low feed-in-tariffs. The results of the combined evaluation provide insight on choosing the most appropriate technologies from multiple perspectives, including financial and environmental.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The paper presents a holistic evaluation of the energy and environmental profile of two renewable energy technologies: Photovoltaics (thin-film and crystalline) and solar thermal collectors (flat plate and vacuum tube). The selected renewable systems exhibit size scalability (i.e., photovoltaics can vary from small to large scale applications) and can easily fit to residential applications (i.e., solar thermal systems). Various technical variations were considered for each of the studied technologies. The environmental implications were assessed through detailed life cycle assessment (LCA), implemented from raw material extraction through manufacture, use, and end of life of the selected energy systems. The methodological order followed comprises two steps: i. LCA and uncertainty analysis (conducted via SimaPro), and ii. techno-economic assessment (conducted via RETScreen). All studied technologies exhibit environmental impacts during their production phase and through their operation they manage to mitigate significant amounts of emitted greenhouse gases due to the avoided use of fossil fuels. The life cycle carbon footprint was calculated for the studied solar systems and was compared to other energy production technologies (either renewables or fossil-fuel based) and the results fall within the range defined by the global literature. The study showed that the implementation of photovoltaics and solar thermal projects in areas with high average insolation (i.e., Crete, Southern Greece) can be financially viable even in the case of low feed-in-tariffs. The results of the combined evaluation provide insight on choosing the most appropriate technologies from multiple perspectives, including financial and environmental.
Stathatou, Patritsia-Maria; Dedousis, Panagiotis; Arampatzis, George; Grigoropoulou, Helen; Assimacopoulos, D
In: Desalination and water treatment, vol. 159, pp. 13-23, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags:
@article{article,
title = {Energy savings and reduced emissions in combined natural and engineered systems for wastewater treatment and reuse: the WWTP of Antiparos Island, Greece},
author = {Patritsia-Maria Stathatou and Panagiotis Dedousis and George Arampatzis and Helen Grigoropoulou and D Assimacopoulos},
doi = {10.5004/dwt.2019.23995},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
urldate = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Desalination and water treatment},
volume = {159},
pages = {13-23},
abstract = {Europe’s water service providers are under increasing pressure to deliver improved and affordable water services to a growing population, whilst reducing the amount of energy used, lowering the environmental impact of water and wastewater treatment processes, and coping with climate change. These challenges have prompted research on natural processes for wastewater treatment, such as constructed wetlands (CWs), providing low-energy treatment potential and storage capacity. As the performance of natural treatment processes may be limited by several factors (e.g. climatic conditions, space restrictions), considerable research concentrates on investigating their combination with engineered pre- or post-treatment processes to improve their performance and increase their treatment resilience. The aim of this paper is to assess and demonstrate the advantages of combined natural and engineered systems (cNES) over purely engineered treatment systems with regard to energy savings and reduced environmental impacts. The case of a cNES located in the island of Antiparos in Greece for the treatment and reuse of municipal effluents is investigated, focusing on the energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the natural treatment process. The performance of the system, which involves CWs for the secondary treatment of effluents, was assessed using an integrated modelling and simulation environment (baseline scenario). An alternative scenario was also built, substituting the CWs with a conventional activated sludge (CAS) process for the secondary treatment of effluents to achieve the same effluent quality as in the baseline scenario. Energy consumption and generation of GHG emissions was assessed for both scenarios, and a comparison between the two systems was conducted, highlighting the significant energy savings and the reduced GHG emissions produced by the cNES: the CAS system consumed about 3,000 times more energy, producing about 50 times more total GHG emissions compared with CWs. The results of the current analysis demonstrated that cNES involving CWs can provide a competitive alternative to purely engineered systems for wastewater treatment and reuse in isolated insular communities and small municipalities, also contributing to water scarcity reduction.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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Europe’s water service providers are under increasing pressure to deliver improved and affordable water services to a growing population, whilst reducing the amount of energy used, lowering the environmental impact of water and wastewater treatment processes, and coping with climate change. These challenges have prompted research on natural processes for wastewater treatment, such as constructed wetlands (CWs), providing low-energy treatment potential and storage capacity. As the performance of natural treatment processes may be limited by several factors (e.g. climatic conditions, space restrictions), considerable research concentrates on investigating their combination with engineered pre- or post-treatment processes to improve their performance and increase their treatment resilience. The aim of this paper is to assess and demonstrate the advantages of combined natural and engineered systems (cNES) over purely engineered treatment systems with regard to energy savings and reduced environmental impacts. The case of a cNES located in the island of Antiparos in Greece for the treatment and reuse of municipal effluents is investigated, focusing on the energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the natural treatment process. The performance of the system, which involves CWs for the secondary treatment of effluents, was assessed using an integrated modelling and simulation environment (baseline scenario). An alternative scenario was also built, substituting the CWs with a conventional activated sludge (CAS) process for the secondary treatment of effluents to achieve the same effluent quality as in the baseline scenario. Energy consumption and generation of GHG emissions was assessed for both scenarios, and a comparison between the two systems was conducted, highlighting the significant energy savings and the reduced GHG emissions produced by the cNES: the CAS system consumed about 3,000 times more energy, producing about 50 times more total GHG emissions compared with CWs. The results of the current analysis demonstrated that cNES involving CWs can provide a competitive alternative to purely engineered systems for wastewater treatment and reuse in isolated insular communities and small municipalities, also contributing to water scarcity reduction.
