Suggestions to improve oil shale industry water management basing on inventory analysis of Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are implemented for the investigation of the Estonian oil shale energy production system. The energy produced on the smallest of Estonia's thermal power plants is studied as a product. A brief description of the inventory analysis and material balance for this product system is presented. A possible change in water management of investigated life cycle is discussed. Implementing these suggestions will diminish the pressure on local water resources in an economically effective way. © 2001 Estonian Academy Publishers.