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Integration of Life Cycle Assessment Into Agent‐Based Modeling

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  • Chris Davis
  • Igor Nikolić
  • Gerard P. J. Dijkema

Abstract

A method is presented that allows for a life cycle assessment (LCA) to provide environmental information on an energy infrastructure system while it evolves. Energy conversion facilities are represented in an agent‐based model (ABM) as distinct instances of technologies with owners capable of making decisions based on economic and environmental information. This simulation setup allows us to explore the dynamics of assembly, disassembly, and use of these systems, which typically span decades, and to analyze the effect of using LCA information in decision making. We were able to integrate a simplified LCA into an ABM by aligning and connecting the data structures that represent the energy infrastructure and the supply chains from source to sink. By using an appropriate database containing life cycle inventory (LCI) information and by solving the scaling factors for the technology matrix, we computed the contribution to global warming in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents in the form of a single impact indicator for each instance of technology at each discrete simulation step. These LCAs may then serve to show each agent the impact of its activities at a global level, as indicated by its contribution to climate change. Similar to economic indicators, the LCA indicators may be fed back to the simulated decision making in the ABM to emulate the use of environmental information while the system evolves. A proof of concept was developed that is illustrated for a simplified LCA and ABM used to generate and simulate the evolution of a bioelectricity infrastructure system.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Davis & Igor Nikolić & Gerard P. J. Dijkema, 2009. "Integration of Life Cycle Assessment Into Agent‐Based Modeling," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 13(2), pages 306-325, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:13:y:2009:i:2:p:306-325
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2009.00122.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Walzberg, Julien & Dandres, Thomas & Merveille, Nicolas & Cheriet, Mohamed & Samson, Réjean, 2019. "Assessing behavioural change with agent-based life cycle assessment: Application to smart homes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 365-376.
    2. Aalto, Mika & KC, Raghu & Korpinen, Olli-Jussi & Karttunen, Kalle & Ranta, Tapio, 2019. "Modeling of biomass supply system by combining computational methods – A review article," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C), pages 145-154.
    3. Raghu KC & Mika Aalto & Olli-Jussi Korpinen & Tapio Ranta & Svetlana Proskurina, 2020. "Lifecycle Assessment of Biomass Supply Chain with the Assistance of Agent-Based Modelling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Bichraoui-Draper, Najet & Xu, Ming & Miller, Shelie A. & Guillaume, Bertrand, 2015. "Agent-based life cycle assessment for switchgrass-based bioenergy systems," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 171-178.
    5. Rembrandt Koppelaar & Antonino Marvuglia & Lisanne Havinga & Jelena Brajković & Benedetto Rugani, 2021. "Is Agent-Based Simulation a Valid Tool for Studying the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions on Local Economy? A Case Study of Four European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-17, July.
    6. Walzberg, Julien & Dandres, Thomas & Merveille, Nicolas & Cheriet, Mohamed & Samson, Réjean, 2020. "Should we fear the rebound effect in smart homes?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).

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