Energy Self-Sufficiency Urban Module (ESSUM): GIS-LCA-based multi-criteria methodology to analyze the urban potential of solar energy generation and its environmental implications

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-06, Vol.879, p.163077-163077, Article 163077
• Main Authors: Guillén-Lambea, S., Sierra-Pérez, J., García-Pérez, S., Montealegre, A.L., Monzón-Chavarrías, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: GIS; LCA; Renewable energy; Self-sufficiency; Urban metabolism
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163077

The concentration of the population in cities has turned them into sources of environmental pollution, however, cities have a great potential for generating clean energy through renewable sources such as a responsible use of solar energy that reaches its rooftops. This work proposes a methodology to estimate the level of energy self-sufficiency in urban areas, particularly in a district of the city of Zaragoza (Spain). First, the Energy Self-Sufficiency Urban Module concept (ESSUM) is defined, then the self-sufficiency capacity of the city or district is determined using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point clouds and cadastral data. Secondly, the environmental implications of the implementation of these modules in the rooftops of the city using the LCA methodology are calculated. The results obtained show that total self-sufficiency of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) can be achieved using 21 % of available rooftop area, meanwhile the rest of rooftop area, dedicated to photovoltaic (PV), can reach 20 % of electricity self-sufficiency, supposing a final balance of a reduction in CO2 emissions of 12,695.4 t CO2eq/y and energy savings of 372,468.5 GJ/y. This corresponds to a scenario where full self-sufficiency of DHW was prioritized, with the remaining roof area dedicated to PV installation. In addition, other scenarios have been analyzed, such as the implementation of the energy systems separately. [Display omitted] •Proposed method determines the solar energy self-sufficiency of cities considering the environmental implications.•Characterization of building rooftops is performed with LiDAR and Cadastral data.•Energy systems potential at urban level have been related to their environmental implication of manufacturing.•Self-production capacity of urban environments can be assessed through energy potential of physical characterization.