Page 159 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

6

Software for Life Cycle Assessment

Andreas Ciroth
GreenDeltaTC, Berlin, Germany

Abstract
Software tools and smart data management techniques are an essential part of modern
and efficient life cycle assessment (LCA) application; to some extent, available tools
and data are even shaping LCA modeling methods and application. The aim of this
chapter is to highlight the software side of LCA by discussing current status, some
historical background, and trends for LCA software systems. Main actors on the mar-
ket are discussed, and different LCA software systems and their characteristics are
presented, including stand-alone comprehensive tools, targeted solutions, web-based,
and open-source software. The chapter closes with a look at tentative, desirable fea-
tures of LCA software systems, and possible future developments.
Keywords: Life cycle assessment, software, open source, web application, usability,
semantic web

6.1 LCA and LCA Software

6.1.1 Introduction

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) relies heavily on both data and software. A usual
LCA case study requires information about hundreds or thousands of process
and their input and output flows, and all these processes need to be connected,
and a balance be calculated. When generating the product system and life cycle
model, users appreciate, and often need, a convenient display of connected
processes, methods for error checks, quick calculation of intermediate results,
data import and export abilities, and so forth.
Consequently, for more than 20 years, a market for professional LCA
1
software has been established. Earlier approaches often relied on spreadsheet

1
LCA software is simply understood, in this chapter, as software that is related to Life Cycle
Assessment.

Mary Ann Curran (ed.) Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally
Sustainable Products, (143-158) © 2012 Scrivener Publishing LLC

143