1. What are LCA and LCC?

LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and LCC (Life Cycle Costing) are essential tools in sustainability assessment. LCA analyzes the environmental impact of a product, process or system throughout its entire life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials through the manufacturing, use and transportation phases to its final disposal. This makes it possible to identify critical points where emissions, waste and other environmental impacts can be reduced.

LCC, on the other hand, focuses on the costs associated with the entire life cycle of a product or system, including initial, operating, maintenance and disposal or recycling costs. Together, these tools provide a comprehensive view that allows companies to make more informed decisions, not only from an economic, but also an environmental standpoint.

2. Why are they strategic tools for companies?

In a context where sustainability is increasingly demanded by regulations and consumers, LCA and LCC offer companies key competitive advantages. On the one hand, LCA helps to identify areas for improvement to minimize environmental impact, which not only helps to comply with stricter environmental regulations, but also to improve the company´s reputation with customers and investors.

LCC, on the other hand, helps to optimize long-term costs by identifying strategies to reduce operating and maintenance costs, as well as to improve process efficiency. In addition, these tools make it possible to anticipate regulatory trends, such as the European directives on circular economy, ensuring that products are competitive in an increasingly demanding market.

3. What other trends are you seeing in terms of sustainability in the energy sector and specifically in the field of energy storage?

In the energy sector and particularly in the field of energy storage, we are seeing a big push towards the circular economy and sustainable design. This includes initiatives to increase the recyclability of batteries, reduce dependence on critical raw materials such as cobalt, and encourage the use of more sustainable and affordable materials.

Another trend is the development of storage systems with a lower environmental impact, both in production and dismantling. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on the reuse of batteries, extending their useful life in secondary applications, such as stationary systems for renewable energies.

Finally, digitization is playing an important role, with the use of data and models to improve the efficiency of supply chains and optimize the design of storage systems from their conception.