2025-2026
Assessment of avoided environmental impacts through circularity strategies in decommissioning and end-of-life
We expanded EDP’s calculation tool to assess the environmental benefits associated with circularity strategies during the decommissioning and end-of-life of equipment and facilities.
The tool enables the estimation of avoided environmental impacts resulting from different management alternatives, extending the analysis to both equipment used in renewable energy facilities and certain office assets.
Identified need
The decommissioning of energy facilities generates significant flows of materials and equipment whose end-of-life management can have a substantial influence on their final environmental impact.
Compared with conventional end-of-life management, strategies such as reuse, recirculation, preparation for a second use or recycling can avoid impacts associated with the manufacture of new products or final treatment processes.
This creates a need for a tool capable of quantifying these benefits and comparing different circularity scenarios on a consistent basis.
Client profile
EDP is an international energy group operating in electricity generation, distribution and supply, with a significant presence in renewable energy. Its strategy incorporates decarbonisation and sustainability criteria into the development of its projects and operations, including the planning and operation of renewable assets and the monitoring of the environmental performance associated with its activities.
Methodological approach and work process
At Baisma, we expanded the scope of the decommissioning tool to incorporate the estimation of avoided impacts associated with different circularity strategies.
The development covers equipment from renewable energy facilities, including components associated with wind turbines, making it possible to analyse different management alternatives at the end of their useful life. The scope was also extended to assets used in offices, incorporating the possibility of assessing recirculation and reuse strategies for equipment such as laptops.
Results and value generated
The tool makes it possible to quantify the potential benefits associated with circularity strategies, providing an objective basis for supporting decisions on the reuse, recirculation, recycling or treatment of equipment and materials, and facilitating the identification of alternatives capable of generating greater avoided environmental impacts.
The approach also makes it possible to translate circular economy principles into specific operational decisions and generate indicators that can be incorporated into internal sustainability monitoring and reporting processes.
