Finding the right electricity dataset can be challenging due to the variety of options available. By taking a structured approach, you can simplify the process and ensure you select the most suitable electricity dataset for your needs.
This article covers the essential steps of modeling electricity usage using ecoinvent datasets.
Don't feel like reading an article? Watch a video tutorial on this topic instead!
Feel like you're missing information? This article builds upon the following articles, check them out if you want to learn more:
On adding impact in Mobius: Mobius - How to: Add impact to your model using datasets
On adding impact in Helix: Helix- How to: Company level inputs
On environmental databases: Explained: Environmental databases in Helix and Mobius
On ecoinvent datasets: Explained: Ecoinvent datasets
Step 1: Determine the source of your electricity.
Identify the sources of electricity used in your facility. In ecoinvent the type of electricity is denoted in the first part of the dataset naming structure (Figure 1). This can be based on the following:
Purchased Power Agreements (PPAs) or electricity mix records. If this is the case, use a “production” dataset.
If you don’t have this information, use a representative “market for” dataset for your region.
Figure 1: Examples of electricity datasets in ecoinvent. The electricity source is specified in the first part of the name, labeled in green. The top dataset is a “market for” dataset, and the bottom is a “production” dataset.
Pro tip - Identifying electricity source: Figure 2 describes the decision-making process for determining the source of electricity to use in your LCA model.
Figure 2: Determining the type of electricity to use in your LCA model.
Step 1a: Electricity types available in ecoinvent.
Need some examples of electricity sources available in ecoinvent to help start modeling your electricity items? Here are the types of electricity that ecoinvent typically has datasets for on a country-specific level.
Renewable electricity
Renewable electricity in the ecoinvent database is produced using various technologies:
Solar energy:
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants: Includes thermal parabolic trough systems and solar power plants.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems: Include facade, flat-roof, slanted-roof, and open ground installations. PV panel types include single-Si, multi-Si, a-Si, CdTe, and CIS panels.
Hydropower: Produced in run-of-river power plants, reservoir dams, and pumped storage hydropower plants. Reservoir dams are further classified into alpine, non-alpine, and tropical regions, which differ in dam type and land use.
Wind Power: Electricity generated by wind turbines, categorized by power levels: less than 1MW, 1-3MW, and over 3MW. Both offshore and onshore wind power generation are represented.
Geothermal Power: Included in the form of deep geothermal power generation.
Fossil electricity
The ecoinvent database includes datasets for the most common fossil-based electricity generation methods:
Coal: Electricity is generated by burning hard coal or lignite. Two types of power plants are available for hard coal: conventional and supercritical.
Natural Gas: Represented through conventional gas power plants, combined heat and power plants (CHP), combined cycle power plants (CC), and turbines of different sizes.
Oil and Peat: Electricity production through the burning of oil and peat is also included.
Biogas and waste incineration
The ecoinvent database includes datasets for electricity generation through waste and incineration:
Biological Matter: Electricity is produced by burning biomethane in gas turbines and fuel cells, and biogas in combined heat and power (CHP) co-generation units. Biowaste incineration is also a source of electricity.
By-Products: Electricity is generated as a by-product from various industrial processes, including the production of burnt shale, cobalt, ethanol from sweet sorghum and wood, petroleum, sugarcane processing, pulp production, and waste treatment through incineration.
Step 1b: Electricity locations available in ecoinvent.
Consider the location where the electricity is used. Ecoinvent frequently has more localized dataset options for electricity types. Search for datasets on a regional (e.g., North India), national (e.g., India), continental (e.g., Asia), or global scale.
Step 2: Determine the voltage of your electricity.
Ecoinvent offers datasets for different voltage levels:
Low Voltage: Typically used in households and offices. Representative for up to 1000 Volts.
Medium Voltage: Common for industrial connections. Representative between 1 - 24 kilo-Volts (kV).
High Voltage: Used for specific or energy-intensive applications. Applicable for >24kV.
Pro tip - Identifying electricity voltage: Determine the electricity voltage based on the size of your company. Figure 2 details this decision-making process.
Figure 2: Determining the electricity voltage to use in your LCA model.
After answering the questions in Steps 1 and 2, proceed to find the most suitable dataset for your electricity item.
Note - Selecting the right voltage: In some rare cases (i.e., as prescribed by some reporting standards) you may need to model the transformation and conversion losses separately. Most electricity is generated in high voltage. To provide low-voltage electricity to households, for example, the transmission lines convert the high-voltage electricity to medium voltage, which, in turn, is transformed into low voltage. If you directly select a ‘medium’ or ‘low’ voltage dataset, ecoinvent will include the impact of transmission & conversion for you. If, however, you need to model the transformation separately, use the following dataset (or similar): “electricity voltage transformation from high to medium voltage | electricity, medium voltage | Cutoff, U”.
Step 3: Find the electricity dataset in ecoinvent.
Use ecoinvent to add impact to the electricity components in your model.
Start by filtering for the database version used elsewhere in your model (e.g., ecoinvent v3.8).
Dataset source:
If you know your electricity source, use it in your dataset search.
If the electricity source is unknown use a “market for” dataset.
Dataset voltage: Specify low, medium, or high voltage in your search.
Location: Specify the location. Narrow down by region.
Select the most representative dataset for the electricity components in your model.
Note - Manipulating electricity datasets: in some cases, you may want to deviate from the pre-made electricity datasets available in ecoinvent. For instance, because your supplier provides their specific energy mix or you want to use data reported by a (local) government in their reporting. In such cases there are two options available:
Model a specific energy mix using subitems (in Mobius), rather than taking the generic dataset. Read more about modeling with multiple datasets here.
If you have a report that contains environmental data on your electricity source, add it to Mobius using Custom Impact.
Step 4: Check dataset properties [Mobius users only].
Verify the dataset unit (e.g., kilowatt hour) matches your model unit.
Check item properties to ensure they are equivalent. For example, 1 kWh = 1 kWh; 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ.
Caution - Properties and electricity datasets: Electricity dataset units commonly do not match model units. Keep in mind that 1 kWh = 1 kWh and 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ, and adjust the properties as needed. Failing to do so results in false impact calculations for your electricity components (3.6 times lower than expected).
Video tutorial
Watch these concepts explained in our Mobius software:
Next steps
By answering key questions about electricity generation, voltage, and location, you can effectively determine the most suitable electricity dataset for your model in ecoinvent. For more guidance, refer to our additional resources or reach out for support to the Ecochain Helpdesk! Good luck with your LCA modeling!