C9261 - LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BATTERIES

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to learn about, understand and apply LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology to estimate the environmental effects associated with products, manufacturing systems and services, with a specific focus on the life cycle of batteries; to know common software and databases to model industrial processes and to predict potential environmental impacts; to acquire knowledge to support process design and sustainable material procurement planning; to interpret and use sustainability indicators

Course contents

Prerequisites: Knowledge of the main concepts of environmental chemistry.

Program:

Introduction to the concept of environmental impacts, direct and indirect, and to the life cycle thinking approach. Introduction to the concept of environmental sustainability within the batteries sector. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) definitions, first attempts and international initiatives.

Full description of the LCA approach with a detailed explanation of the phases of the methodology: Goal and Scope definition, Life Cycle Inventory (LCI or Inventory analysis), Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA or Impact assessment), and Interpretation (or Results interpretation).

Introduction to the planetary boundaries concept and the main environmental footprint schemes: carbon footprint, water footprint, and EU environmental footprint methodology.

Application of the LCA methodology to support innovation (e.g., 2024/1781 Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) and its application at different Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Introduction to the European Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework for chemicals and materials, including aspects related to risk assessment (intrinsic, production phase, use phase, and end of life), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), and environmental Life Cycle Costing (eLCC).

LCA usage for supporting ecolabelling of batteries

The course will include exercises on the LCA methodology.

Definition of fundamental principles and accounting methodology to identify and quantify material flows and anthropogenic stocks by means of material flow analysis (MFA). Data sources and processing, distinction between static and dynamic MFA approaches. Practical modelling simulation of MFA applied to case studies relevant to batteries.

Readings/Bibliography

Texts, Books, and Monographs:

• M.A. Curran, Life Cycle Assessment Handbook, Wiley-VCH, 2012.
• W. Klöpffer, B. Grahl, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - A Guide to Best Practice, Wiley-VCH, 2014.
• O. Jolliet, M. Saadé-Sbeih, S. Shaked, A. Jolliet, P. Crettaz, Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, CRC Press, 2016.
• M. Z. Hauschild, R. K. Rosenbaum, S. Irving Olsen (Eds.), "Life Cycle Assessment. Theory and Practice", Springer, 2018.
• S. Maranghi, C. Brondi, “Life Cycle Assessment in the Chemical Product Chain: Challenges, Methodological Approaches and Applications», Springer, 2020.
• Life Cycle Assessment, D. Cespi, M.A. Curran, Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, Germany, 2026, pp. 1 – 34.
• Colin Baird, Michael Cann, Environmental Chemistry, Freeman and Co., 2012.
• Paul H. Brunner and Helmut Rechberger, "Practical Handbook of Material Flow Analysis", CRC Press, 2004.

Teaching methods

The course is delivered through theoretical lectures, in-depth studies of application case studies, and group exercises in a computer lab.

Additionally, there may be in-depth lessons given by experts in specific fields.

Regular attendance at lectures is essential for developing a thorough understanding of the topics covered, as well as their interrelationships and environmental implications. All course content is presented and discussed during lectures. The teaching materials made available to students serve as a guide for study and should be supplemented with lecture notes and, where appropriate, with the textbooks listed in the "Readings/Bibliography" section.

Given the nature of the activities and the teaching methods employed, participation in this course is conditional upon the prior completion by all students of Modules 1 and 2 of the mandatory Health and Safety Training for Study Environments, provided through e-learning.

Assessment methods

The exam will be written, with a grade expressed in thirtieths, and will aim to verify the achievement of the main learning objectives.

The exam consists of a written test, which may include multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions and short exercises.

In case of exam sessions with less than four candidates the teachers can evaluate whether to perform the final examination through an oral exam.

In order to take the exam, it is necessary to enrol through "Alma Esami", in observance of the established deadlines. Those who fail to enrol by the scheduled date are required to promptly notify the problem to the Teachers in charge (and in any case before the official closure of the enrolment lists). It is up to the teacher to admit, or not, the student to take the exam.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations for the students concerned. Such accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is prohibited in all assessment activities. Any use of AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The course is delivered with the aid of digital presentation tools for displaying texts and images.

The lecture slides, together with supplementary technical materials (e.g., scientific articles, etc.), are made available to students through the University's Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it).

Digital tools will be used to conduct literature searches and to demonstrate examples of computational software.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Cespi

See the website of Luca Ciacci