Short answer

When developing or selecting energy technologies, integrate assessments of supply security, environmental footprint, and social impact to ensure comprehensive sustainability.

Field
Sustainability
Source
Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (2023)
Method
Framework development and conceptualization
Evidence
Strong effect

A comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for energy technologies must integrate energy security, environmental impact, and social considerations. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna). Using Framework development and conceptualization, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When developing or selecting energy technologies, integrate assessments of supply security, environmental footprint, and social impact to ensure comprehensive sustainability.

Study
SustainabilityRecentStrong effect

A Three-Dimensional Framework for Sustainable Energy Technology Assessment

A comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for energy technologies must integrate energy security, environmental impact, and social considerations.

Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01A robust sustainability assessment for energy technologies requires a multi-dimensional approach.
  • 02Energy security, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability are interconnected and must be evaluated holistically.
  • 03A hierarchical structure prioritizing energy security can guide decision-making in the clean energy transition.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When developing or selecting energy technologies, integrate assessments of supply security, environmental footprint, and social impact to ensure comprehensive sustainability.

How to apply

Use the three dimensions (energy security, environmental sustainability, social sustainability) as a checklist when evaluating the viability and impact of new energy technologies.

Project actions

  • 01When researching energy technologies, consider how they impact energy independence and resource availability.
  • 02Incorporate life cycle thinking to understand the full environmental and social costs of a technology.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can a multi-dimensional framework be developed to assess the sustainability of energy technologies, balancing energy security, environmental impact, and social considerations?
MethodFramework development and conceptualization
ProcedureThe research proposes a Sustainability Assessment Framework (SAF) for energy technologies, drawing inspiration from the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework. The SAF integrates three core dimensions: supply security (economic aspects, resource accessibility, trade), environmental sustainability (aligned with Product Environmental Footprint and SSbD), and social sustainability (impacts on workers, communities, value chain, and society, using Social Life Cycle Assessment). The framework prioritizes energy security while acknowledging its links to environmental and social objectives.
ContextEnergy technology research and innovation, policy development

Variables

IV["Energy technology type","Design choices within the technology"]
DV["Energy security score","Environmental sustainability score","Social sustainability score"]
CV["Scope of life cycle assessment","Methodologies used for scoring"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to sustainability assessment.
  • +Integrates established methodologies like LCA and PEF.

Limitations

It can be challenging to quantify all aspects of energy security and social sustainability objectively.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the framework relies on the robustness of the underlying methodologies (LCA, PEF, S-LCA) and the consistency in applying the scoring criteria. Reliability would depend on consistent data collection and interpretation across different assessments.

Think critically

To what extent can energy security truly be prioritized over environmental and social goals in the long term, and what are the potential ethical implications of such prioritization?

05

Design Principles

"Holistic sustainability assessment in energy technology design requires balancing energy security, environmental performance, and social equity."

Designing and implementing new energy technologies requires a holistic approach that goes beyond mere environmental benefits. By considering the interconnectedness of energy security, environmental performance, and social equity, designers can create solutions that are not only cleaner but also more resilient, accessible, and socially responsible.

06

What This Means for Your Design

When designing new energy solutions, think about more than just being 'green'. Make sure the energy supply is reliable, the materials used are safe, and that the technology benefits people and communities.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this framework to justify the multi-faceted evaluation criteria for your chosen energy technology.
  • 2.Use the three dimensions as a basis for structuring your research into the impacts of your design.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The proposed Sustainability Assessment Framework (SAF) offers a valuable model for evaluating energy technologies by integrating energy security, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability. This approach acknowledges that true sustainable design in the energy sector necessitates a holistic perspective, moving beyond singular metrics to encompass the complex interplay of economic stability, resource accessibility, environmental impact, and societal well-being. Incorporating such a multi-dimensional evaluation can lead to more robust and resilient energy solutions.

09

Source

Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna)

Proposal for a sustainability framework for energy technologies

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about a three-dimensional framework for sustainable energy technology assessment?
When developing or selecting energy technologies, integrate assessments of supply security, environmental footprint, and social impact to ensure comprehensive sustainability. Evidence: Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) (2023).
Why does "A Three-Dimensional Framework for Sustainable Energy Technology Assessment" matter for design?
Designing and implementing new energy technologies requires a holistic approach that goes beyond mere environmental benefits. By considering the interconnectedness of energy security, environmental performance, and social equity, designers can create solutions that are not only cleaner but also more resilient, accessible, and socially responsible.
How can designers apply this research?
When developing or selecting energy technologies, integrate assessments of supply security, environmental footprint, and social impact to ensure comprehensive sustainability.
What were the main findings?
A robust sustainability assessment for energy technologies requires a multi-dimensional approach.. Energy security, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability are interconnected and must be evaluated holistically.. A hierarchical structure prioritizing energy security can guide decision-making in the clean energy transition.
What research method was used?
Framework development and conceptualization.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna).
What should I do differently in my next project?
Use the three dimensions (energy security, environmental sustainability, social sustainability) as a checklist when evaluating the viability and impact of new energy technologies.
What are the limitations?
The framework is conceptual and requires further empirical validation and adaptation to specific energy technologies.