295
© The Author(s) 2015
G. Sonnemann, M. Margni (eds.), Life Cycle Management,
LCA Compendium – The Complete World of Life Cycle Assessment,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1_21
Chapter 21
Exploring Challenges and Opportunities
of Life Cycle Management in the Electricity
Sector
Miguel Fernandez Astudillo , Karin Treyer , Christian Bauer ,
and Mourad Ben Amor
Abstract Electricity supply is often cited as a signifi cant hot spot in life cycle
assessment results, and consequently in life cycle management results. Despite its
importance, however, practitioners continue to overuse generic LCI data and different simplifi ed methodologies regarding electricity supply modeling. Such simplifi -
cations and inconsistencies can result in diffi culties, e.g. to compare the fi ndings of
various studies. This chapter is intended to highlight issues on electricity supply
modeling, methodological choices and data set selections. Attributional and consequential perspectives as well as systemic aspects of the electricity sector are also
refl ected. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are summarized and suggestions
on how to deal with such problems are provided when possible.
Keywords Energy policy • Electricity supply • Modeling choices • Life cycle
inventory data • Life cycle assessment • Life cycle management
1 Introduction
Life cycle management (LCM) aims to minimize the environmental and
socio- economic burdens associated with a product or product portfolio throughout
its entire life cycle and value chain (Remmen et al. 2007 ). From an environmental
perspective, electricity is a major consideration in many life cycle assessment
(LCA) studies. Indeed, electricity supply is often highlighted as a signifi cant hot
M. F. Astudillo • M.B. Amor (*)
Department of Civil Engineering , Université de Sherbrooke ,
J1K 2R1 Sherbrooke , QC , Canada
e-mail: ben.amor@usherbrooke.ca
K. Treyer • C. Bauer
Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis , Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) ,
5232 Villigen , Switzerland
© The Author(s) 2015
G. Sonnemann, M. Margni (eds.), Life Cycle Management,
LCA Compendium – The Complete World of Life Cycle Assessment,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7221-1_21
Chapter 21
Exploring Challenges and Opportunities
of Life Cycle Management in the Electricity
Sector
Miguel Fernandez Astudillo , Karin Treyer , Christian Bauer ,
and Mourad Ben Amor
Abstract Electricity supply is often cited as a signifi cant hot spot in life cycle
assessment results, and consequently in life cycle management results. Despite its
importance, however, practitioners continue to overuse generic LCI data and different simplifi ed methodologies regarding electricity supply modeling. Such simplifi -
cations and inconsistencies can result in diffi culties, e.g. to compare the fi ndings of
various studies. This chapter is intended to highlight issues on electricity supply
modeling, methodological choices and data set selections. Attributional and consequential perspectives as well as systemic aspects of the electricity sector are also
refl ected. Finally, key challenges and opportunities are summarized and suggestions
on how to deal with such problems are provided when possible.
Keywords Energy policy • Electricity supply • Modeling choices • Life cycle
inventory data • Life cycle assessment • Life cycle management
1 Introduction
Life cycle management (LCM) aims to minimize the environmental and
socio- economic burdens associated with a product or product portfolio throughout
its entire life cycle and value chain (Remmen et al. 2007 ). From an environmental
perspective, electricity is a major consideration in many life cycle assessment
(LCA) studies. Indeed, electricity supply is often highlighted as a signifi cant hot
M. F. Astudillo • M.B. Amor (*)
Department of Civil Engineering , Université de Sherbrooke ,
J1K 2R1 Sherbrooke , QC , Canada
e-mail: ben.amor@usherbrooke.ca
K. Treyer • C. Bauer
Laboratory for Energy Systems Analysis , Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) ,
5232 Villigen , Switzerland