Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
The transition to clean and renewable energy sources, combined with the growing demand for energy, presents major challenges in the Dutch building sector, leading to issues such as reaching the maximum capacity of the national grid. Tiny Houses (TH) offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional homes. Characterized by significantly lower energy consumption, they are committed to reduce the ecological impact and promote self-sufficiency in energy.
This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of three energy scenarios for a Dutch Tiny House:• PV grid-connected (current scenario).• PV grid-connected system with batteries.• PV and wind off-grid scenario. The analysis includes both energy-related components (such as monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, inverters, and lithium batteries) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installations. The HVAC installations remain constant over all three scenarios.
The LCA was performed in according with ISO 14040/44 standards using the One Click LCA software. Inputs for the calculation include the Dutch electricity mix, energy and HVAC-related components, component lifespans and transportation distances. The environmental impact category considered is the global warming potential (GWP).
Contrary to initial expectations and previous studies, the PV and wind off-grid scenario demonstrated the lowest GWP; 587 kg CO2e/m2. The PV grid-connected and PV grid-connected with batteries scenarios showed significantly higher GWP values; 1,905 and 2,103 kg CO2e/m2. While the off-grid system requires more building materials with shorter lifespans due to intensive use, its total GWP remains the lowest. This is mainly because the grid-connected scenarios rely on the national electricity grid, which is still partially based on fossil fuels, and the off-grid scenario is entirely self-sufficient. In conclusion, the PV and wind off-grid scenario reduces pressure on the power grid, promotes local renewable energy generation, and (with the lowest GWP of all three scenarios) contributes to the goal of a 95% reduction in CO2 by 2050, in line with the Paris Climate Targets.
2025.