Life-cycle assessment: use and application in the Australian energy context
R. RouwetteEnergetics.
The APPEA Journal 52(2) 661-661 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ11075
Published: 2012
Abstract
Australia is experiencing a time of major change in its energy sector. First, there is record investment in developing new fossil fuel resources—such as coal, LNG, and coal seam methane gas—for export. Second, there is an ever-increasing attention to renewable energy generation for the domestic market.
The looming introduction of a price on carbon (greenhouse gas emissions) in 2012 has fuelled the debate about how clean various energy sources are, and how any/all emissions associated with their development and the generation of energy should be treated.
As a market response, a significant increase in using life-cycle assessment (LCA) results to communicate environmental performance, particularly about greenhouse gas emissions, have been witnessed. When undertaken appropriately, a full life-cycle approach is the only acceptable methodology to compare disparate technologies or products; however, given the often technical nature of LCA studies, the results are not always conveyed accurately in the non-technical mainstream media.
This extended abstract discusses case studies related to the energy sector using LCA results—their benefits and shortcomings—in Australian media; suggestions for better communication and decision making in the coming period are also discussed.
Rob Rouwette is a senior life-cycle assessment (LCA) expert who manages LCA and carbon footprint projects for clients. He also delivers a course about life-cycle thinking. He was instrumental in delivering strategic LCA projects for the Steel Stewardship Forum, Think Brick Australia, and Boral, where energetics combined thermal modelling with a full environmental LCA of Australian houses. Having a strong background in performing LCAs for the construction industry, he set to develop the LCA structure for the Australian Building Assemblies and Materials Scorecard at RMIT University’s Centre for Design. His other work experience includes roles as energy consultant to the Dutch metals industry and eight years as an environmental LCA consultant with INTRON, a Dutch consultancy to the building and construction industry. In the latter position, he performed numerous LCAs of construction materials and products; he also informed policy decisions. He is the present vice president of the Australian LCA Society (ALCAS) and is active within AusLCI, which develops a national LCI database for Australia. |
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