PhD Defense Announcement: Achyuth Ravilla

The CEE Department is pleased to announce Achyuth Ravilla's PhD Defense: "Sustainability Assessment of Photovoltaic Cells in Cross-Functional Applications "

Date: Monday, November 4th, 2024Time: 8:00 AMLocation: EB 202L CEE Conference Rm or online via Zoom: pdx.zoom.us/j/3598395599Advisor: Dr. Ilke CelikAbstract: "This dissertation evaluates the economic and environmental performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies integrated into cross-functional applications, including agrivoltaics, lower-dimensional materials, and hydrogen generation via water-splitting. Through life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), it explores the viability of these innovations in achieving sustainability goals. Agrivoltaic systems demonstrate both economic and environmental advantages over conventional PV systems, enhancing land-use efficiency by combining energy and food production. Integrating lower-dimensional materials—such as graphene, black phosphorus, and reduced graphene oxide—into perovskite PV cells significantly reduces environmental impacts and shortens the energy payback period compared to commercial PV technologies. Additionally, coupling PV with electrochemical water-splitting systems offers a low-cost, environmentally superior approach to green hydrogen production, surpassing other clean hydrogen technologies. These insights contribute to the development of scalable, sustainable PV applications, supporting the transition toward a carbon-neutral future."