FORNY220 Life Cycle Assessment - Environmental Impacts of Energy and Waste Systems

The course gives a thorough introduction in methods for analysing environmental and resource impacts of energy systems and products: Environmental systems analyses, life cycle assessments (LCA) and external costs. The primary focus will be on energy and waste systems and technologies used in the energy and waste sector. Objectives, applicability, assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of the models will be discussed. The course includes how to estimate emissions from energy processes, industrial processes, transport, waste treatment, etc.. as well as resource effectiveness and impacts on ecosystem services. The course will focus on emissions related to global warming, eutrophication and acidification, health and eco-toxicity impacts. Through the methods, students will be able to understand the relationship between processes, materials, products and technology, and current environmental and resource challenges. Applications of LCA in companies' environmental strategy work, communication and marketing, with special emphasis on energy systems will be discussed.