The energy transition initiated by the European Union (EU) aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources through greater electrification of energy end uses. The International Energy Agency predicts that the significant increase in demand for the minerals used for ‘green’ power generation technologies will make the continuity of supply of those minerals for which the EU is entirely dependent on imports more critical. In this context, the structural transformation of the energy system to a circular perspective is one of the strategies to be implemented to ensure the supply of clean and secure energy.

In order to plan concrete actions and achieve quantifiable goals, we need tools that support the transition path and that establish the positioning of the current system with respect to a system with the circular economy as a paradigm of reference. Within the framework outlined, the research aimed to develop a metric for measuring the circularity of the sectors of the national power generation system that allows detailed analysis by individual energy source (sectoral scale).

Beginning with the definition and principles of circular economy specific to the electricity sector, a tool was defined for measuring circularity at the sectoral scale by selecting indicators related to policies supporting circularity, material, energy and waste flows, and indicators related to environmental sustainability estimated using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. Based on the circularity score obtained, electricity systems can be classified as ‘emerging,’ ‘launched,’ ‘established,’ and ‘circular.’

The tool was first applied to the bioenergy and photovoltaic sectors with reference to 2020 in Italy. The study found that both the bioenergy and photovoltaics are ‘launched’ sectors on the circular transition path. Potential areas for improvement and possible actions to be taken were identified for both case studies. In addition, in order to monitor the progress toward the goals set, the need was highlighted for computerized systems for collecting data on the significant environmental aspects of the different power generation sectors.