Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing of Supercapacitors: A Comprehensive Review and Assessment of Environmental and Economic Impacts

Ongoing research on energy storage systems, driven by the energy transition, has led to the development of alternative systems beyond conventional batteries, such as supercapacitors (SCs). These devices offer high-power density, rapid charge/discharge, and long cycle life, making them suitable for applications requiring quick energy bursts. Moreover, they bear lesser dependency on critical raw materials, enhancing their sustainability. Despite their technological maturity, little is known about their environmental and economic implications from a life cycle perspective. This review offers an insight into life cycle assessment and life cycle costing studies evaluating the environmental impacts and economic viability of SCs. The analysis synthesizes existing research, identifies trends, and highlights key knowledge gaps. By providing a systematic overview of the life cycle sustainability metrics for SC technologies, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of their role as a viable and sustainable energy storage solution. Due to heterogeneous system boundaries and product systems found in literature, a clear estimation of average environmental impacts and cost performance remains challenging. Additionally, the sustainability implications of next-generation SCs are not fully understood. Further research is needed to establish comprehensive sustainability assessments, improve methodological consistency, and guide future development.