Investigating the Capability of a Power Converter in Delivering Net Carbon Reduction: Presentation of the First LCA Approach

Studies focused on the quantification of the environmental impacts of power converters has not been done yet to our best knowledge to investigate its capability in delivering the net carbon reduction in this global energy crisis, but a few unsystematic ones [1]. This study presents a preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach of a 2.5kW inverter with the aim of contributing to decision - making regarding how to assess the environmental impact and reduction of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions of its manufacturing. The scope is to identify the methodological steps, and provide the overall evaluation. Nevertheless here only the intermediate result for one of its major component (the heat sink) is reported. The LCA encompasses the “cradle to gate with module C1- C4(End of Life) and D (Benefits and Loads beyond the system boundary)” life cycle stages of the power converter [2]. The primary data were obtained from the manufacturers and the secondary data from Eco invent database. In this ongoing assessment, the environmental impacts are majorly due to the role raw material (particularly aluminium) plays, followed by its manufacturing stage. The full paper will report the LCA overall assessment and discussion of its intermediate steps, with a special focus on its carbon footprint.