Life Cycle Assessment of Power Utility Poles – A Review
Journal Title: International Journal of Engineering and Science Invention - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Worldwide, overhead electricity distribution is performed using poles made from various materials. The choice of the most efficient pole material is based on management strategies that integrate concerns for environmental sustainability. By quantifying environmental impacts of products, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool which can be very useful to decision-makers. But how, where and to which extent has it been applied to power utility poles until now, and which accomplishments and challenges can be pointed out from the findings of these LCA applications? To address these questions, a review of accessible published LCA studies of power utility poles has been carried out. By employing well established literature review methodologies, a computer search of journals, conference proceedings, and reports have been carried out and retrieved case studies have been analyzed according to the criteria derived from the four phases of LCA international standards. From a performed review process, it was realized that a total of 13 LCA case studies have been increasingly conducted during these last 26 years in only four countries around the world. The case studies included both comparative LCA of various pole materials and LCA of a single pole material. The main used utility pole materials, the main considered functional units, the main assessed impact categories, the most considered environmentally friendly pole material, and the main challenges in the field have been identified and documented. LCA constitute a useful research field when studying the sustainability of power utility poles. Although existing case studies are scarce, the review highlights several outstanding accomplishments which show what have been satisfactorily done and what needs to be done. Currently, the topic is mainly limited to USA and Swedish researchers; developing countries seem to have noting to do with and there is not yet a methodological consensus which could facilitate a deep comparison between published case studies.
Authors and Affiliations
G. D. Nimpa, J. M. Njankouo, P. S. Ngohe- Ekam, T. Tamo Tatietse
Keywords
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