EcoEnSys

Energy supply is associated with environmental impacts that vary depending on the energy system and type of resource. The aim of the dissertation project (see Fig. 1) is to compare and analyse regulations and methods for assessing the environmental impact as well as tools for carrying out a life cycle assessment using the example of different energy systems and the consideration of a region.

Material and methods

The dissertation draws on various methodological building blocks (see Fig. 2). The dissertation project covers the following topics:

• Methods and regulations for ecological assessment
• Ecological assessment of energy systems

The results of various projects in which different methods and energy systems were assessed for their environmental impact are analysed and compared. Differences and their causes are identified and serve as a starting point for the development of a guideline for future assessments.

At the same time, different energy systems and methods are selected for the realisation of case studies.

The third methodological building block comprises methods for analysing sensitivity and comparing models. The aim is not only to evaluate the differences, but also to determine how sensitively systems react to changes.

Results

Creation of a "best practice guideline" for the ecological assessment of energy systems by evaluating and further developing existing methods.

The result is an assessment system for the ecological evaluation of energy systems that is easy to apply and understand as a methodology. The aim is to show what influence the choice of method and tools has.