Invernizzi, DC, Locatelli, G orcid.org/0000-0001-9986-2249, Velenturf, A orcid.org/0000-0003-2635-0546 et al. (3 more authors) (2020) Developing policies for the end-of-life of energy infrastructure: Coming to terms with the challenges of decommissioning. Energy Policy, 144. 111677. ISSN 0301-4215
Abstract
Energy sector policies have focused historically on the planning, design and construction of energy infrastructures, while typically overlooking the processes required for the management of their end-of-life, and particularly their decommissioning. However, decommissioning of existing and future energy infrastructures is constrained by a plethora of technical, economic, social and environmental challenges that must be understood and addressed if such infrastructures are to make a net-positive contribution over their whole life. Here, we introduce the magnitude and variety of these challenges to raise awareness and stimulate debate on the development of reasonable policies for current and future decommissioning projects. Focusing on power plants, the paper provides the foundations for the interdisciplinary thinking required to deliver an integrated decommissioning policy that incorporates circular economy principles to maximise value throughout the lifecycle of energy infrastructures. We conclude by suggesting new research paths that will promote more sustainable management of energy infrastructures at the end of their life.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. |
Keywords: | Decommissioning; Infrastructure; Circular economy; Waste management; Megaproject; Power plants |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) NE/L014149/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2020 09:49 |
Last Modified: | 31 Jul 2020 15:12 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111677 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:161817 |