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Energies
Volume 18
Issue 21
10.3390/en18215606
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Article

Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil

by
Vanessa Cardoso de Albuquerque
1,2,*,
Rodrigo Flora Calili
1,*,
Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida
1,
Rodolpho Albuquerque
2,
Tarcisio Castro
2 and
Rafael Kelman
2
1
Postgraduate Metrology Programme, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 38097, Brazil
2
PSR Consulting, Rio de Janeiro 22250, Brazil
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2025, 18(21), 5606; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215606
Submission received: 4 September 2025 / Revised: 1 October 2025 / Accepted: 5 October 2025 / Published: 24 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Section A: Sustainable Energy)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study proposes and empirically validates a spatiotemporal life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for hydroelectric power generation applied to the Sinop Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brazil. Unlike conventional LCA, which assumes spatial and temporal homogeneity, the framework incorporates annual temporal discretisation and geographically differentiated impacts across all phases of assessment. The methodology combines the Enhanced Structural Path Analysis (ESPA) method with temporal modeling and region-specific inventory data. The results indicate that environmental impacts peak in the fourth year of the ‘Construction and Assembly’ stage, primarily due to the intensive production of concrete and steel. A spatial analysis shows that these impacts extend beyond Brazil, with notable contributions from international supply chains. By identifying temporal and geographical hotspots, the framework offers a refined understanding of impact dynamics and drivers. Uncertainty analysis further demonstrates that temporal discretisation significantly affects impact attribution, with the ‘Construction and Assembly’ stage results varying by up to ±15%, depending on scheduling assumptions. Overall, the study advances the LCA methodology while offering robust empirical evidence to guide sustainable decision-making in Brazil’s power sector and to inform global debates on low-carbon energy transitions.
Keywords: life cycle assessment; spatiotemporal LCA; hydroelectric power; sustainability assessment; environmental impacts; electricity generation; Brazil life cycle assessment; spatiotemporal LCA; hydroelectric power; sustainability assessment; environmental impacts; electricity generation; Brazil

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MDPI and ACS Style

Albuquerque, V.C.d.; Calili, R.F.; Almeida, M.F.L.d.; Albuquerque, R.; Castro, T.; Kelman, R. Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil. Energies 2025, 18, 5606. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215606

AMA Style

Albuquerque VCd, Calili RF, Almeida MFLd, Albuquerque R, Castro T, Kelman R. Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil. Energies. 2025; 18(21):5606. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215606

Chicago/Turabian Style

Albuquerque, Vanessa Cardoso de, Rodrigo Flora Calili, Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida, Rodolpho Albuquerque, Tarcisio Castro, and Rafael Kelman. 2025. "Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil" Energies 18, no. 21: 5606. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215606

APA Style

Albuquerque, V. C. d., Calili, R. F., Almeida, M. F. L. d., Albuquerque, R., Castro, T., & Kelman, R. (2025). Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil. Energies, 18(21), 5606. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18215606

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