Interview with Lucia García

• How will the previous studies and reports influence the specific aspects of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for our hydrogen storage system?

Currently, there are not many LCA conducted on ultraporous materials to be used in vessels, primarily because this technology is relatively new and still in its early stages of development. Due to the novelty of these materials, comprehensive sustainability assessments are limited, and much of the data required for detailed LCA is still being gathered. In this context, to ensure a robust understanding of the environmental impacts of these materials, we hold regular meetings with other projects that are evaluating the same or similar materials, such as HySTRAM and MOST-H2. These collaborative sessions provide an opportunity to exchange valuable insights and findings, allowing us to collectively discuss and refine specific LCA parameters like, for example, the definition and selection of the functional unit, which is crucial for ensuring that our assessments are consistent and comparable across different studies. 

• What criteria will be used to select the best alternatives for scaling up the ultraporous materials, and how will this selection process impact the overall eco-design and performance of the system?

During the years of 2022 and 2023, Activated Carbons (ACs) and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) were developed in Spain and South Africa testing their production and synthetic processes. Once the necessary data had been collected to perform the LCA, the potential environmental impacts were calculated and analyzed including a hotspot analysis to see the materials or processes that contribute the most to the overall impact and provide recommendations for scaling up production. In parallel, a Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis was performed to establish a reference value for the cost of producing these ultraporous materials. This value was compared against the market prices of competing products, providing a benchmark to evaluate economic feasibility and competitiveness. In this way, environmental and economic guidance was provided.

• Can you describe the process of performing a hotspot analysis during the LCA of the complete demonstrator system and how it helps in identifying the most relevant impact categories and life cycle stages?

A hotspot analysis helps identify the materials, production steps or synthetic processes that contribute the most to environmental impacts, such as resource depletion or energy consumption. The identified hotspots are then interpreted in the context of the overall system. The results help pinpoint areas where improvements could be made, providing recommendations to optimize the production process for the scale up and future developments. 

• What are the key factors considered in developing a risk profile for the components of the hydrogen storage system, and how do these profiles influence the design and safety measures implemented in the project?

Safety assessments and risk management are crucial for identifying potential hazards and ensuring the safety of the test personnel. This process involves modeling the entire system and its individual components to evaluate the combination of the likelihood of failure and its potential consequences. These calculations are based on a technical assessment of damage factors/mechanisms involved, and the consequence of failure is calculated using health/safety and financial measures. The risk profiles are subsequently displayed on a risk matrix allowing for a clear understanding of the overall system´s risk profile so mitigation actions can be made to be implemented in the project.