Topics

Environmental impacts of electricity and heat production in the Czech Republic from a life cycle perspective

The European Union is on the path towards a low-carbon future. Energy sector decarbonisation is crucial for achieving this objective, as this sector makes the most significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. In the energy sector, information about direct environmental impacts, such as emissions produced during the operation of a given source, is often used to assess the severity of environmental impacts. However, evaluating sources solely on the basis of direct emissions may not be optimal and can conversely lead to misleading conclusions. While electricity generation from non-renewable sources causes significant environmental impacts primarily during the operational phase of the source in the form of emissions, renewable sources have a considerable proportion of impacts associated with their manufacturing and construction phase, including mining and processing of mineral resources. Further significant impacts are associated with the end of their life cycle in the decommissioning phase, when individual construction materials are further processed or disposed of. This dissertation therefore addresses the comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts of electricity and heat production sources in Czech conditions from a life cycle perspective. The work evaluates the construction, operation and decommissioning of significant non-renewable and renewable electricity and heat sources. The work further examines aspects of the future transformation of the energy system structure, which is heading towards partial decentralisation and a change in fuel base.

Education

• 2016–2023: University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Field of Study: Environmental Chemistry (Ph.D.)
• 2019: Charles University, Field of Study: Environmental Protection (RNDr.)
• 2013–2016: Charles University, Field of Study: Environmental Protection (M.A.)
• 2015: Internship at the Fraunhofer Institute, University of Stuttgart, Department of Life  Cycle Engineering (GaBi)
• 2011–2012: Study abroad, University of Granada (ES), Field of Study: Environmental Protection
• 2009–2013: Masaryk University, Field of Study: Environmental Humanities (B.A.)

 Publications

• Šerešová M., Štefanica J., Vitvarová M., Zakuciová K., Wolf P., Kočí V. Life cycle performance of various energy sources used in the Czech Republic. Energies. 2020, MDPI, 13(21) 1-17.
• Chen Y., Fan Ch., Šereš M., Šerešová M., Vymazal J., Pan S. Lifecycle environmental benefits of integrated rational fertilization, biochar, and constructed wetland in mitigating nutrient loading. Agricultural Water Management. 2025, 307, 1-11.
• Šerešová M., Kočí V. Proposal of Package-to-Product Indicator for Carbon Footprint Assessment with Focus on the Czech Republic. Sustainability. 2020, MDPI, 12(7) 1-17.
• Šerešová M.,Polák M., Kočí V. Environmental performance of collection boxes for end of life mobile phones. Waste Management & Research. 2019, International Solid Wastes and Public Cleansing Association, 37 (8), 851-859.
• Paulů, A., Bartáček, J., Šerešová, M., Kočí. V. Combining Process Modelling and LCA to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Wastewater Treatment Innovations. Water. 2021, MDPI, 13 (9) 1-14.
• Pešta J., Šerešová M., Kočí V. Carbon Footprint Assessment of Construction Waste Packaging Using the Package-to-Product Indicator. Sustainability. 2020, MDPI, 12(23) 1-14.