So far, a lot of efforts have been put in life cycle assessments (LCA) of bioethanol production. There are many works that have assessed bioethanol production in different points of view to illustrate the environmental impacts. This study reviewed former LCA studies on bioethanol produced from various biomass resources by considering the effect of methodological components, technical pathways and feedstock provision on the result of LCA studies. The review evaluated 48 papers published 2002–2021 with a focus on studies that included a complete set of environmental impact categories. However, due to lack of harmony among studies, comparing the LCA results was challenging but the review indicated that the final results of studies are influenced by LCA methodological components, such as system boundary, functional unit, etc. Around 80% of the reviewed papers show the reduction in global warming potential, while contrary results have been found about increasing acidification, eutrophication and photochemical oxidant formation impact categories because of the feedstock provision. Regarding technical aspects, results from the review revealed that most of the studies considered the pre-treatment as a crucial step in bioconversion processes. Despite several LCA studies of bioethanol production, there is still low attention given to uncertainty analysis in the publications.

The aim of this study is to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts caused by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production from mixed municipal waste, in a mechanical–biological waste treatment plant in Krakow, Poland. The study is based on life cycle assessment methodology, employing EASETECH model. The system boundaries include only those operations which lead to the production of RDF. The adopted functional unit is 1 Mg of mixed municipal waste generated in Krakow, which enters the mechanical–biological waste treatment plant.

The aim of this study is to quantify the environmental exchanges associated with the mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) of mixed municipal waste, for a specific MBT plant, based on the annual operation data for the year 2015. Modeling of environmental performance of the MBT technology is done on actual, real data of the operating plant, taking into account particular, explicit outputs and efficiencies of the plant. Results contribute to quantitative understanding of the MBT technology and its environmental impact, including the impacts from individual unit processes within MBT. The study is based on Life Cycle Assessment methodology, employing the EASETECH model. One megagram of mixed municipal waste entering the MBT plant is adopted as the functional unit. The system boundaries cover the whole value chain from collection and transport of mixed municipal waste through mechanical and biological operations until final treatment of end-waste generated in the MBT plant. Results of modeling show the MBT of mixed municipal waste, with accompanying final treatment processes of end-waste has negative impact on the environment. The significant impact categories include photochemical ozone formation, eutrophication, acidification, human toxicity. Aerobic biological treatment of the undersize fraction rich in organic material has the biggest share in total environmental impact, mainly due to ammonia and dinitrogen monoxide emissions. It may suggest that aerobic treatment is not the best option for MBT plants and biogasification with energy recovery can be more beneficial. Landfilling of ballast and stabilized waste, and use of compost for remediation of a closed landfill entail slightly lower environmental impact than the biological treatment. Recycling of secondary materials sorted from residual waste has positive effects on the environment.

This comprehensive review examines the evolution, current state, and future potential of solar-powered electric vehicles (SEVs) and vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV). This study analyzed 77 relevant scientific papers published up to March 2025, identifying significant advancements in photovoltaic efficiency, lightweight materials, and integration techniques. Although SEVs and VIPV show promising potential for sustainable mobility, challenges remain in areas such as energy yield optimization, climate adaptability, and economic viability. This review highlights research gaps and proposes future directions, emphasizing the need for standardized testing protocols, improved energy management systems, and innovative material solutions to address these challenges. Key findings include the development of SEVs from early prototypes to limited commercial applications, the importance of the design and integration of solar photovoltaic systems, advancements in energy management and optimization, the use of lightweight materials, and the impact of climate and shading factors on performance. The review concludes by outlining directions for future research on the advancement of energy management systems, with particular emphasis on optimizing solar energy input, battery efficiency, and economic viability. Furthermore, it is recommended to investigate materials that achieve an optimal balance between durability, cost-effectiveness, and photovoltaic performance, as well as to develop adaptive solar capture designs tailored to diverse vehicle platforms.

Among the different alternatives for the production of biofuels, food waste could be a favorable bioenergy source. Using food waste as a feedstock has the potential to meet the expectations of the second generation of biofuels, in terms of environmental savings and revenue-generation, and which, along with other valuable co-products, can contribute to biorefinery profits. This study aimed to investigate the early stages of life-cycle assessment (LCA) for restaurant food waste processed into bioethanol, biomethane, and oil, split over different scenarios. Based on a life cycle inventory analysis, the environmental impacts were assessed using an IMPACT 2002+ methodology. The characterized impacts were then normalized against the average impacts, and the normalized results were weighted and aggregated to provide single score LCA results. The overall findings showed that electricity consumption and condensates included VFAs, as well as enzymes, yeast, and n-hexane, were the main contributors to the environmental burdens in all impact categories. Considering the sensitivity analysis, the results demonstrated that the enzyme dosage loading in the hydrolysis process and n-hexane utilization in the fat extraction process can change the environmental performance, along with the process efficiency. This study can provide an approach to foresee environmental hotspots in the very early developmental stages of food waste valorization into biofuels, and for highlighting drawbacks connected to the implementation of conversion processes at pilot and industrial scales.