Life cycle assessment demonstrates lithium iron phosphate batteries charged with solar power drastically cut emissions in electrical networks, highlighting trade-offs in land use.
The integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) into electrical grids is critical for stabilizing renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics (PV); however, their environmental trade-offs remain underexplored in regions with fragmented infrastructure. This study conducts a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of three lithium-ion battery chemistries (lithium iron phosphate), nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), and lithium manganese oxide (LMO)—within Palestine’s electrical distribution network. Utilizing the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint (H) method, openLCA software, and ecoinvent v3.9.1 database, the analysis spans ten environmental categories, including global warming potential, fossil fuel depletion, and ecotoxicity. The results demonstrate that lithium iron phosphate batteries exhibit the lowest environmental burden, with 3%–28% lower impacts than NMC and LMO across key metrics. Furthermore, charging BESS with PV-generated electricity reduced global warming potential by 89% and fossil fuel depletion by 91% compared with grid electricity, although it increased land occupation (574%) and ecotoxicity due to PV panel production. This study underscores the necessity of coupling LFP technology with solar energy to mitigate Palestine’s reliance on imported fossil fuels while addressing land-use conflicts through decentralized PV deployment. These findings provide a data-driven framework for policymakers to harmonize energy security, grid stability, and ecological sustainability in regions that are transitioning to renewables.
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Jaradat et al. (2026) studied this question.
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