Publicação
Material flow analysis applied to batteries with a circular economy perspective
| Resumo: | In this research, a material flow analysis is developed for lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles in the Czech Republic alongside three different scenarios of circularity. The aim of this work is to find circular solutions to the management of this technology at its end of life and understand the positive and negative impacts of its utilization. This study is very relevant in today’s energy transition since electric vehicles are gaining popularity and are the main solution for the decarbonization of the transport sector, which is one of the sectors that most release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to the climate change faced today. Nevertheless, this technology can also present some challenges to sustainability since it requires the exploitation of some critical material that can harm ecosystems and result in public health issues, so it is crucial to understand how to manage this technology in its lifecycle. Initially, the number of electric vehicles that entered the Czech Republic market is estimated, and then the several features and characteristics of this technology are studied so the desired results are achieved. The quantity of different materials that constitute batteries that finish their useful life in electric vehicles is calculated, and from that, the amount of material reused, recycled, and disposed of is determined. These results are interpreted and challenges and limitations are highlighted. |
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| Autores principais: | Mikus, Francisco Fernandes |
| Assunto: | Circular economy Czech Republic Lithium-ion batteries Material flow analysis Análise do fluxo de materiais Baterias de iões de lítio Economia circular República Checa Engenharia e Tecnologia::Outras Engenharias e Tecnologias |
| Ano: | 2024 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade do Minho |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho |
| Resumo: | In this research, a material flow analysis is developed for lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles in the Czech Republic alongside three different scenarios of circularity. The aim of this work is to find circular solutions to the management of this technology at its end of life and understand the positive and negative impacts of its utilization. This study is very relevant in today’s energy transition since electric vehicles are gaining popularity and are the main solution for the decarbonization of the transport sector, which is one of the sectors that most release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to the climate change faced today. Nevertheless, this technology can also present some challenges to sustainability since it requires the exploitation of some critical material that can harm ecosystems and result in public health issues, so it is crucial to understand how to manage this technology in its lifecycle. Initially, the number of electric vehicles that entered the Czech Republic market is estimated, and then the several features and characteristics of this technology are studied so the desired results are achieved. The quantity of different materials that constitute batteries that finish their useful life in electric vehicles is calculated, and from that, the amount of material reused, recycled, and disposed of is determined. These results are interpreted and challenges and limitations are highlighted. |
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