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Title: Variations in embodied energy and carbon emission intensities of construction materials

Abstract

Identification of parameter variation allows us to conduct more detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) of energy and carbon emission material over their lifecycle. Previous research studies have demonstrated that hybrid LCA (HLCA) can generally overcome the problems of incompleteness and accuracy of embodied energy (EE) and carbon (EC) emission assessment. Unfortunately, the current interpretation and quantification procedure has not been extensively and empirically studied in a qualitative manner, especially in hybridising between the process LCA and I-O LCA. To determine this weakness, this study empirically demonstrates the changes in EE and EC intensities caused by variations to key parameters in material production. Using Australia and Malaysia as a case study, the results are compared with previous hybrid models to identify key parameters and issues. The parameters considered in this study are technological changes, energy tariffs, primary energy factors, disaggregation constant, emission factors, and material price fluctuation. It was found that changes in technological efficiency, energy tariffs and material prices caused significant variations in the model. Finally, the comparison of hybrid models revealed that non-energy intensive materials greatly influence the variations due to high indirect energy and carbon emission in upstream boundary of material production, and as such, any decision relatedmore » to these materials should be considered carefully. - Highlights: • We investigate the EE and EC intensity variation in Australia and Malaysia. • The influences of parameter variations on hybrid LCA model were evaluated. • Key significant contribution to the EE and EC intensity variation were identified. • High indirect EE and EC content caused significant variation in hybrid LCA models. • Non-energy intensive material caused variation between hybrid LCA models.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222 (Australia)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22447492
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Impact Assessment Review
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 49; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0195-9255
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ACCURACY; AUSTRALIA; BUILDING MATERIALS; CARBON; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; EMISSION; FLUCTUATIONS; HYBRIDIZATION; LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT; MALAYSIA; PRICES; TARIFFS

Citation Formats

Wan Omar, Wan-Mohd-Sabki, School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Doh, Jeung-Hwan, and Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak. Variations in embodied energy and carbon emission intensities of construction materials. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1016/J.EIAR.2014.06.003.
Wan Omar, Wan-Mohd-Sabki, School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Doh, Jeung-Hwan, & Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak. Variations in embodied energy and carbon emission intensities of construction materials. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2014.06.003
Wan Omar, Wan-Mohd-Sabki, School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Doh, Jeung-Hwan, and Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak. 2014. "Variations in embodied energy and carbon emission intensities of construction materials". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EIAR.2014.06.003.
@article{osti_22447492,
title = {Variations in embodied energy and carbon emission intensities of construction materials},
author = {Wan Omar, Wan-Mohd-Sabki and School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis and Doh, Jeung-Hwan and Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak},
abstractNote = {Identification of parameter variation allows us to conduct more detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) of energy and carbon emission material over their lifecycle. Previous research studies have demonstrated that hybrid LCA (HLCA) can generally overcome the problems of incompleteness and accuracy of embodied energy (EE) and carbon (EC) emission assessment. Unfortunately, the current interpretation and quantification procedure has not been extensively and empirically studied in a qualitative manner, especially in hybridising between the process LCA and I-O LCA. To determine this weakness, this study empirically demonstrates the changes in EE and EC intensities caused by variations to key parameters in material production. Using Australia and Malaysia as a case study, the results are compared with previous hybrid models to identify key parameters and issues. The parameters considered in this study are technological changes, energy tariffs, primary energy factors, disaggregation constant, emission factors, and material price fluctuation. It was found that changes in technological efficiency, energy tariffs and material prices caused significant variations in the model. Finally, the comparison of hybrid models revealed that non-energy intensive materials greatly influence the variations due to high indirect energy and carbon emission in upstream boundary of material production, and as such, any decision related to these materials should be considered carefully. - Highlights: • We investigate the EE and EC intensity variation in Australia and Malaysia. • The influences of parameter variations on hybrid LCA model were evaluated. • Key significant contribution to the EE and EC intensity variation were identified. • High indirect EE and EC content caused significant variation in hybrid LCA models. • Non-energy intensive material caused variation between hybrid LCA models.},
doi = {10.1016/J.EIAR.2014.06.003},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22447492}, journal = {Environmental Impact Assessment Review},
issn = {0195-9255},
number = ,
volume = 49,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Sat Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}