Easy to use models for calculation of environmental impacts or carbon footprints
ESU-services offers a range of LCA tools which allow the easy calculation and analysis of the environmental impacts of products or services. The idea of a key parameter model (KPM) is to allow a simplified calculation of environmental impacts or carbon footprint for a specific type of product or services. They are based on the knowledge gained with a detailed LCA case study. ESU-services offers Excel spreadsheet or web-based solution. They minimize the project costs if several equivalent products or services shall be analyzed or compared.
The KPM are easy to handle for SME operators, designers, or manufacturers. The users can enter some key data. With the help of the key parameter models for companies, the user can for example carry out a simplified LCA of the annual environmental impacts within a few hours. The users have not to deal with complicated question such as the choice of correct data, different impact assessment methods or details of the LCA such as allocation. ESU-services has developed several key parameter models in the last 25 years.
Calculator for carbon footprints of meals
The illustration shows a very simple example for calculating the CO2 footprint of lunch menus. One menu can be calculated per column. After entering the different consumption quantities in the lower, white-coloured cells, the results are automatically displayed in the red-coloured cells at the top. The different menus in the columns can then be compared directly with each other.
Calculator for naturemade testing of energy plants
The second graphic shows an example of the input mask for a key parameter model for systems utilizing wood energy as part of the naturemade star certification process. This example is somewhat more complicated, as even more different influencing variables are queried in detail.
The Excel model implements a language switch for German, English, and French. It also displays calculation results graphically in a further part of the characteristic value model. The structured design ensures that all necessary information—input values, results, and graphics—can be easily printed and made available as a PDF file.
Environmental declaration for run-of-river power plants
The environmental impact of electricity generation is a recurring topic of public debate. With the new ISO 14001, life cycle assessments are also an important element of environmental management. We developed a simple Excel tool for run-of-river power plants. This can calculate various environmental indicators relatively easily and accurately in the form of an environmental product declaration (EPD). The power plant operator needs to provide information on the materials and energy sources used in construction. Additional data on electricity distribution makes the model even more accurate. We can send you an example of the necessary inputs and the presentation of the results on request.
Further examples of Excel key parameter models
- the naturemade certification of energy systems (biogas, photovoltaics, solar collector systems, wind, and hydropower plants)
- environmental product declaration (EPD) for run-off-river hydropower plants
- comparing transport chains
- analysing electricity mixes
- calculating the impacts of meals in canteens
- manufacturing of pipes with varied materials and diameters
- investigating the annual impacts and timeline of organization greenhouse gas emissions
- cooperative data collection for food production chains
- comparing different beverage cups, packages, fertilizer substrates, holiday trips, Christmas trees, etc.
- Personal environmental footprint calculators for Switzerland and Germany
