1. Test the assumptions and data used for algal fuels LCA.
2. Identify the key parameters affecting the embodied energy of
an element or algae fuel.
3. Test the extent to which parameters are important to the life
cycle of an algae fuel, e.g., maintenance and replacement rates.
4. Determine which materials require accurate data regarding
energy spent on transportation. This determines which materials are sensitive to location.
5. Determine the importance of life cycle embodied energy compared to operational energy for an algae fuel.
9 Case Study
The following is a simple example of performing an LCA of algae
fuel production and consumption. More specifically, production
and consumption of algae biodiesel are explained step by step
according to the Standard ISO:
9.1 First Step: Goal
and Scope Definition
1. Define the goal of the study. For example, pond-to-wheel LCA
of algae biodiesel by using data from commercial facilities.
2. Define the FU. For example, production of 1 MJ of energy by
combusting algae biodiesel in a compression-ignition directinjection (CIDI) passenger car.
3. Draw the system boundary with details. An example is presented in Fig. 4.
4. Specify the co-products generated in different sections of the
algal biodiesel production system and specify their shares for
allocation while determining the type of assignment according
to the study objectives (for example, see Table 1 in which
allocation is based on the energy content of the products of
oil extraction).
9.2 Second Step:
Data Collection
I. Use the most up-to-date data available (see Table 2). However,
when old data of greater specificity are available, one may select
those data over newer data.
II. Organize the data in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
9.3 Third Step:
Define the Project and
Import the Data into
SimaPro Software
It should be noted that the present tutorial does not describe the
initial steps needed to purchase a license for or install SimaPro on an
operating system, e.g., Windows or server. Rather, it only briefly
explains the database selection step, defining project, importing
data, selecting method, and extracting output results of the LCA
of algae biodiesel (details on working with SimaPro could be found
in the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, available at https://
simapro.com/).
Life Cycle Analysis
141
2. Identify the key parameters affecting the embodied energy of
an element or algae fuel.
3. Test the extent to which parameters are important to the life
cycle of an algae fuel, e.g., maintenance and replacement rates.
4. Determine which materials require accurate data regarding
energy spent on transportation. This determines which materials are sensitive to location.
5. Determine the importance of life cycle embodied energy compared to operational energy for an algae fuel.
9 Case Study
The following is a simple example of performing an LCA of algae
fuel production and consumption. More specifically, production
and consumption of algae biodiesel are explained step by step
according to the Standard ISO:
9.1 First Step: Goal
and Scope Definition
1. Define the goal of the study. For example, pond-to-wheel LCA
of algae biodiesel by using data from commercial facilities.
2. Define the FU. For example, production of 1 MJ of energy by
combusting algae biodiesel in a compression-ignition directinjection (CIDI) passenger car.
3. Draw the system boundary with details. An example is presented in Fig. 4.
4. Specify the co-products generated in different sections of the
algal biodiesel production system and specify their shares for
allocation while determining the type of assignment according
to the study objectives (for example, see Table 1 in which
allocation is based on the energy content of the products of
oil extraction).
9.2 Second Step:
Data Collection
I. Use the most up-to-date data available (see Table 2). However,
when old data of greater specificity are available, one may select
those data over newer data.
II. Organize the data in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
9.3 Third Step:
Define the Project and
Import the Data into
SimaPro Software
It should be noted that the present tutorial does not describe the
initial steps needed to purchase a license for or install SimaPro on an
operating system, e.g., Windows or server. Rather, it only briefly
explains the database selection step, defining project, importing
data, selecting method, and extracting output results of the LCA
of algae biodiesel (details on working with SimaPro could be found
in the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, available at https://
simapro.com/).
Life Cycle Analysis
141