"Prospective LCAs are forward-looking assessments aiming to anticipate environmental impacts."

In a quest to revolutionize energy storage technology and confront environmental challenges head-on, the MUSIC Project collaborates with pioneering institutions like the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). In a recent inquiry posed by Marcel Weil, Head of the research group "Research for Sustainable Energy Technologies" at KIT, the crucial role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for Sodium-Ion Capacitors (SICs) comes into focus. Let´s delve into this discussion to unravel the significance of KIT´s contributions within the project and their potential impact on advancing sustainable energy solutions.

• Why a LCA study is important for SICs?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. The life cycle includes all stages, from raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, transportation, and use, potential second use to end-of-life disposal or recycling. LCA is a systematic approach that helps in understanding and quantifying the environmental burdens associated with a particular product or service.

Beyond CO2 footprint, requested by the battery directive (shortcoming of the battery directive), several environmental impacts are considered, like:

• (Global Warming Potential (GWP) – CO2 Footprint: Contribution to climate change.)
• Acidification Potential: Emission of acidic substances.
• Eutrophication Potential: Nutrient enrichment in water bodies.
• Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): Harm to the ozone layer.
• Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP): Ground-level ozone formation.
• Resource Depletion: Consumption of finite resources.
• Land Use: Impact of land occupation and transformation.
• Water Consumption: Water use or impact.
• Human Toxicity: Potential harm to human health.
• Ecotoxicity: Harm to ecosystems and organisms.
• Particulate Matter Formation: Formation of atmospheric particulate matter.

We apply prospective LCA, which is a type of life cycle assessment that is conducted before a product or process is implemented or brought to the market. Prospective LCAs are forward-looking and aim to anticipate and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a new design, technology, or system, and maybe even the production and usage in the future.

So far no full LCA for Supercaps exists. Quite often only components or a test cell are investigated. Within MUSIC we plan the first full LCA, including raw materials, production cell, full supercap system, usage, potential second use and recycling.

In summary, the prospective approach of Life Cycle Assessment provides us with a valuable opportunity to anticipate and address environmental challenges from the early stages of development. By closely collaborating with experts such as Dr. Marcel Weil and the KIT team, the MUSIC project is paving the way for a more sustainable future for energy storage technology. With an unwavering commitment to responsible innovation, we are poised to not only develop advanced solutions but also ensure that they positively contribute to our planet and future generations.