Eco-environmental, and social impacts of producing electricity with various renewable energy sources

The shift towards renewable energy is crucial for mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Exploring the diverse impacts of renewable energy sources is essential to guide future investments and policies. This study comprehensively compares five different renewable energy sources—solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, and pumped storage—used to produce electricity, focusing on their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Economic evaluations are conducted using the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), revealing values of approximately 0.048, 0.030, 0.065, 0.045, and 0.085 €/kWh for the respective sources. Environmental impacts are assessed using the OpenLCA software, which evaluates ten midpoint impact categories that culminate in three endpoint damages: human health, ecosystem health, and natural resources. Accordingly, the Environmental Cost Indicator (ECI) was calculated, with results indicating values of around 0.0104, 0.0045, 0.0019, 0.0004, and 0.0180 €/kWh. Additionally, the social impacts these renewable energy sources are considered, highlighting the broader implications of their adoption. This comprehensive analysis provides a detailed understanding of the trade-offs involved in choosing different renewable energy sources, aiming to support sustainable energy transition strategies. • Wind energy has the lowest LCOE at 0.030 €/kWh, making it the most economical. •Hydropower exhibits the least environmental impact, whereas pumped storage has the highest environmental cost. •Renewable energy sources promote environmental awareness and offer job opportunities requiring various education levels.