Syllabus

TN0285 Energy and Life Cycle Assessment, 5.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Modules

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to provide knowledge on quantification of natural resource use in a life cycle perspective and the environmental load caused by this use. The aim is also to give practice in formulating problems, critical reviewing and written and oral presentation.

After the course the student should be able to:

-describe different methods for analysis of environmental load and natural resource use caused by a process

• perform a limited energy and life cycle assessment for a smaller production system, for example a food product

• understand how different energy quality concepts can be used in energy- and life cycle assessments

• describe and apply methods for quantification of the effects of uncertain and varying input data in energy and life cycle assessments

• put in a method in a proper context and understand how it can be used in production or research.

Content

Energy analysis

Quality aspects of energy

Life cycle assessment

• definition of purpose, system limits and functional unit

• inventory (LCI)

• impact analysis (LCIA)

• result interpretation, sensitivity analysis

Data sources

Data quality

The course consists of lectures, exercises, a seminar and a project where the students perform an LCA, which includes collection of data, calculation of energy and environmental load and sensitivity analysis.

Compulsory parts of the course are the introduction and the oral presentation of the project work, a seminar and a guest lecture.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written and oral presentation of the project work, approved written examination and participation in the compulsory parts.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Energy and Technology