Space sustainability, a multidisciplinary approach

Karin Treyer (PSI - Technology Assessment Group)

Karin Treyer has joined the Technology Assessment group as a Researcher in Life Cycle Assessment of energy systems in autumn 2011. As the energy sector is currently undergoing heavy changes, she drives forward the LCA methodology to include aspects such as prospective analyses, coupling of technologies, or embracing sensitivities, variabilities and uncertainties. Karin wants to increase credibility and reproducibility of LCA studies and strongly believes in the power of open sharing of software codes, data and other information in order to drive sustainability aspects forward (co-founder of “Départ de Sentier”).  Her research projects include individual technologies, such as Airborne Wind Energy, a novel type of heat pumps, or deep geothermal power next to analysis of larger technology sets e.g. for production of (synthetic) Sustainable Aviation Fuel or sector coupling via hydrogen as energy carrier. Another interesting project aims to develop a LCA software for the European Space Agency to be used by non-LCA experts such as engineers who want to do ecodesign in early project phases. As the LCA framework is not yet ready for space LCA studies, Karin is involved in developing the LCA methodology further so that more complete environmental studies are possible in the space sector.