Andrea Mio is contract professor of process simulation and dynamics of chemical processes at the University of Trieste. After his graduation in Materials and Process Engineering, he received a PhD in Nanotechnology at the University of Trieste, working on the development of a methodology for the sustainability evaluation of batch processes. His last research interests focus on the integration of innovative methodologies, such as molecular and process simulations, within the Life Cycle Assessment of chemical processes. He is actively collaborating with stakeholders in the Life Cycle Thinking sector towards the improvement of the available tools for the evaluation of product sustainability.
Lecture: Environmental impacts of energy sources
Following the definition of sustainable development in late ’80, several tools have been proposed for the quantification of the vague concept of sustainability. Nothing was readily available at that time. Theories were under study, methodologies were under development, tools were still to be designed. After four decades we have a useful and, despite its limitations and drawbacks, powerful tool, i.e. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Firstly, we will delve into our energy mix to analyse its evolution in the last 25 years. Then, we will explore why LCA is such an essential tool for broadening our understanding of environmental impacts of energy production. Finally, we will perform an LCA study to show the potential benefits and drawbacks of each energy source.