Is It Useful to Improve Modelling of Usage Scenarios to Improve the Environmental Footprint of Energy-Using Product?

Abstract

When considering the Life Cycle Assessment of an energy-using product, usage is often modelled by average scenarios of use. One challenge of modelling is the availability of data to model the specific scenario in each case. This type of modelling requires the collection of data from several inputs. Also, it can be expensive and time-consuming to collect the specific data to improve the modelling of the use phase. This case study examines a truck refrigeration unit, for which the most environmentally impactful phase is the use phase. The energy consumption of the unit depends on usage. We highlight the importance of modelling a detailed usage scenario specific to each user and examine if it is enough to consider an average usage scenario. This study shows how a specific end-user Life Cycle Assessment and customized recommendation can contribute to improving the global environmental footprint. This is demonstrated by using the energy consumption life cycle inventory analysis of specific end-user behaviour based on experimental data and average scenarios. The results show how far we have to go in the collection of data.