Contribution of LCA approach to the choice of rotating electrical machines for environmental impact minimization

From usual point of view, electrical machine is designed and chosen in order to minimum initial investment for given characteristics. Eco-design is a new approach for motors design, it introduces additional environmental dimension to traditional choices method. It uses a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools. This work highlights the LCA approach applied to AC machines. Then the global environmental costs of the machine are evaluated considering its total life cycle and according to normalised impact criteria. Finally, the implication of LCA approach to the choice of a standard electrical machine is realised in order to minimise the global environmental costs.