146
and A5 (construction process); B2, B4, and B6 (use); C1–C4 (end of life) are
included in the study. However, the user also has the ability to include stage D
(beyond building life). Regardless of which decision is made, the boundary of the
system must be clearly documented and transparently communicated along with the
results of the study.
Clicking “Show Report” will bring up a new window with a table of results
across the included environmental impact categories categorized by either life cycle
stages or assembly groups depending on which option the user chose. The environmental impact categories included in the study are GWP (in kg CO 2 eq), acidification potential (in kg SO 2 eq), HH particulate (in kg PM2.5eq), eutrophication
potential (in kg Neq), ozone depletion potential (in kg CFC-11eq), smog potential
(in kg O 3 eq), total primary energy (in MJ), nonrenewable energy (in MJ), and fossil
fuel consumption (in MJ). Athena uses the TRACI LCIA methodology. The table of
results can be exported to a PDF, word file, or excel sheet. Also in the “Reports”
window is the ability to generate reports specific to two different green rating systems local to North America, Green Globes and LEED.
The Export submenu under the File menu provides the user with the ability to
export a more detailed PDF report or excel report of the results, beyond those that
can be generated from the table of results in Athena. The PDF report starts with
information about the Athena Institute, the Impact Estimator for Buildings, and
other information about the software and methodologies used in the study. After this
information the PDF breaks down the results of the study in tabular format by life
cycle stage and assembly group. Next, the results of the study are provided in both
graphical and tabular format by the assembly group for each environmental impact
category individually. Information about embodied carbon over the life cycle of the
building per project area (in m
2
) is given next. The next section of the report breaks
down operational versus embodied impacts, in both graphical and tabular formats.
Lastly, the report concludes with the bill of materials.
The excel report that is generated gives a more detailed breakdown of the information as well as the ability for the user to compare the results of multiple studies.
The file reports the same general project information, bill of materials, and environmental impacts by life cycle stage. It also reports the energy consumption of the
project across the different life cycle stages and broken down into over a dozen
different energy sources. The same process is repeated for air emissions, water
emissions, land emissions, and resource use. These flows of matter and energy represent the results of the LCI phase of the study and are further described in Chap. 7.
Also embedded in the excel file is a utility that allows the user to compare the results
across multiple studies. The “Report Difference” tab allows the user to generate a
report that shows the difference in impact between two selected projects. These
tools are useful in fully comparing two different design options and making the
most informed decision. If two studies are carried out using Athena, and the user
inputs the same information regarding goal and scope, then the two studies are fully
comparable. Making comparisons between design options is one easy way to act on
the results of the study. Examples of how Athena can be used to inform design decisions can be found in Chap. 9.
8 Dashboard
and A5 (construction process); B2, B4, and B6 (use); C1–C4 (end of life) are
included in the study. However, the user also has the ability to include stage D
(beyond building life). Regardless of which decision is made, the boundary of the
system must be clearly documented and transparently communicated along with the
results of the study.
Clicking “Show Report” will bring up a new window with a table of results
across the included environmental impact categories categorized by either life cycle
stages or assembly groups depending on which option the user chose. The environmental impact categories included in the study are GWP (in kg CO 2 eq), acidification potential (in kg SO 2 eq), HH particulate (in kg PM2.5eq), eutrophication
potential (in kg Neq), ozone depletion potential (in kg CFC-11eq), smog potential
(in kg O 3 eq), total primary energy (in MJ), nonrenewable energy (in MJ), and fossil
fuel consumption (in MJ). Athena uses the TRACI LCIA methodology. The table of
results can be exported to a PDF, word file, or excel sheet. Also in the “Reports”
window is the ability to generate reports specific to two different green rating systems local to North America, Green Globes and LEED.
The Export submenu under the File menu provides the user with the ability to
export a more detailed PDF report or excel report of the results, beyond those that
can be generated from the table of results in Athena. The PDF report starts with
information about the Athena Institute, the Impact Estimator for Buildings, and
other information about the software and methodologies used in the study. After this
information the PDF breaks down the results of the study in tabular format by life
cycle stage and assembly group. Next, the results of the study are provided in both
graphical and tabular format by the assembly group for each environmental impact
category individually. Information about embodied carbon over the life cycle of the
building per project area (in m
2
) is given next. The next section of the report breaks
down operational versus embodied impacts, in both graphical and tabular formats.
Lastly, the report concludes with the bill of materials.
The excel report that is generated gives a more detailed breakdown of the information as well as the ability for the user to compare the results of multiple studies.
The file reports the same general project information, bill of materials, and environmental impacts by life cycle stage. It also reports the energy consumption of the
project across the different life cycle stages and broken down into over a dozen
different energy sources. The same process is repeated for air emissions, water
emissions, land emissions, and resource use. These flows of matter and energy represent the results of the LCI phase of the study and are further described in Chap. 7.
Also embedded in the excel file is a utility that allows the user to compare the results
across multiple studies. The “Report Difference” tab allows the user to generate a
report that shows the difference in impact between two selected projects. These
tools are useful in fully comparing two different design options and making the
most informed decision. If two studies are carried out using Athena, and the user
inputs the same information regarding goal and scope, then the two studies are fully
comparable. Making comparisons between design options is one easy way to act on
the results of the study. Examples of how Athena can be used to inform design decisions can be found in Chap. 9.
8 Dashboard