Life Cycle Analyses of Energy Systems (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

LCA background theory (lectures) and SimaPro Practices are studies by mid-October. LCA case study will be carried out from mid-October until December.

Objective

You are familiar with the key concepts of life cycle management and life cycle analyses. You know about different types of renewable energy systems and how they are applied at the community level. You know the standards guiding the life cycle analyses. You know how to carry out life-cycle inventory data collection, life cycle impact assessment, and interpret the results. You can analyse the life-cycle environmental impacts of community-based energy systems and communicate the results to stakeholders at an appropriate level.

Content

Key contents of this course include:

- Background knowledge on life cycle management and analyses
- Knowledge of standards and professional routines used in conducting life cycle analyses
- Creating a life-cycle model of a community renewable energy system
- Analysing and communicating the environmental impacts of community energy transition

Location and time

Course takes place at Wärtsilä Campus; most of the practices and team work is also scheduled in calendar.

Materials

Materials will be appointed in Moodle; they include ISO Standards, Life Cycle Analyses Text book chapters and lecture presentations.

Teaching methods

The course will provide an introduction to the conceptual framework of LCA and the basic principles according to ISO 14040/44. You will learn on defining the Goal and setting the scope of a LCA study, how to use an iterative approach to LCA, and identify purpose and target audience. You will learn to use SimaPro LCA software in tutorial practices, and crease a life cycle model of a wind power plant as a joint tutorial practice. The course includes a living-lab assignment where Life Cycle Model is established for a local community energy / energy resource system. Project is carried out as a team work.

Employer connections

LCA case study will be carried out in collaboration with regional stakeholders. This will include collaboration in data collection, modelling and presenting the study results.

Student workload

Theoretical backgrounds 8 hours, LCA practices 16 hours and Case-based LCA teamwork 30 hours. In addition, small assignments and team work completion in own time.