Towards a prospective consequential LCA of large-scale PV penetration in the UK

Abstract

The UK grid has potential for large-scale PV deployment. A prospective consequential life cycle assessment approach is proposed here to investigate the whole-system impacts of a set of future national electricity generation scenarios in which high levels of PV are expected to be achieved by 2035. The scenarios are based on either user-led or network-led deployment schemes (respectively entailing predominantly small scale battery or large-scale CAES energy storage), and on varying amounts of non-PV renewable and conventional electricity generation technologies in the mix. The assessment is envisaged to be structured in three stages, namely: (1) PV systems life-cycles, (2) changes to electricity network infrastructure, and (3) ensuing changes to overall UK electric power flows. The associated methodological challenges are discussed.