With the release of ecoinvent v3.9.1, you may be considering updating your existing product and life cycle models to the latest version. Whether you need to meet specific standards or want to utilize the latest data, updating can provide valuable insights but may also require some effort. Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to update your models to ecoinvent v3.9.1 or revert to an older version if needed. This article covers the following questions:
How to update product models to ecoinvent v3.9.1?
How to revert your models to previous versions?
Feel like you're missing information? This article builds upon the following articles - check them out if you want to learn more:
On the latest ecoinvent update: Mobius Changelog
On ecoinvent: Explained: Ecoinvent datasets
On workspace settings: Mobius - How to: Manage workspaces
On exporting data: Mobius - How to: Export product data and results
On importing data: Mobius - How to: Import data
How to update product models to ecoinvent v3.9.1?
Step 1: Decide if you need to update your model.
Before updating, consider if you need to switch to the latest database version (ecoinvent v3.9.1). If your current models work fine for your needs, you may prefer to stick with your current database version. However, an update is recommended if you must comply with new standards (e.g., the upcoming SBK Bepalignsmethode, EPD International, etc.). Further, if you require datasets available in newer versions of ecoinvent, then consider updating your models where needed and at your own speed.
Note - Ecoinvent v3.11: Want to update your model, but not in a rush? Consider waiting to update your model’s database! Ecoinvent v3.11 will become available in Mobius early in 2025. If you’d like to use the latest database, without a specific reason, we recommend waiting for ecoinvent v3.11. This way you won’t need to update your product footprints twice over a short period!
Pro tip - Saving models with previous database versions: Export the CSV files of relevant products and objects if you want to preserve your models with older ecoinvent versions. Then, create a new workspace for updating while keeping the older version intact. We advise having separate workspaces for separate database (versions) and calculation methods.
Step 2: Switch to ecoinvent v3.9.1
To start using the new database (Figure 1):
Change the impact method in your (new) workspace settings to a version compatible with ecoinvent v3.9.1 (e.g., EF 3.1, EF 3.0 - v.4, EN15804 (EF 3.1 + EF 3.0 - v4), IPCC, TRACI 2.1, Any method in OpenLCA Methods v2.3.1).
Make sure your preferred database is set to ecoinvent v3.9.1.
Figure 1: Changing relevant impact settings in workspace settings in Mobius.
Step 3: Update datasets.
Once you've switched impact methods and databases, all items in your models will display as "invalid" as they contain outdated datasets (Figure 2). You’ll need to update these datasets to continue calculating impacts.
Figure 2: The invalid warning symbol appears once impact methods and databases have been switched and is resolved by clicking the quick edit symbol in Mobius.
Option 1: Manually update datasets.
This option is optimal if you prefer to be in control of switching your model’s datasets, as you can choose to make changes in your model as you go. It is especially useful if your models’ are relatively small, and there are not too many items to adjust. However, if you have large product inventories, manually updating datasets can be tedious.
Open your model and select “Quick Edit" (Figure 2).
Copy the current dataset name, then paste it into the search bar.
Ensure the geography of the new dataset matches the old one.
Select the new dataset from ecoinvent v3.9.1.
Your model should now have valid impacts again.
Option 2: Update via import.
This strategy is useful if you have large product inventories.
Caution - Updating via import: You may face challenges when updating datasets in your model via import. Especially if you use custom impact (i.e., your model doesn’t consistently use ecoinvent datasets to attribute impact) or you built your model using the life cycle feature in Mobius. If this is the case, don’t fear - book a ‘talk to an expert’ meeting with an Ecochain specialist.
Export your product structure as a CSV file.
Combine multiple products into a single file if needed.
Download the following programme to automatically change the (old) datasets to the database version of your liking. Follow the instructions in the README file.
Import the file back into your product overview.
Your model should now calculate impacts with the updated datasets.
How to revert product models to previous versions?
If you’re using a new database version (ecoinvent v3.9.1) and need to go back to an older version, follow the same steps outlined above - just replace the newer datasets with the older ones manually or through import. We recommend preserving your old models in a separate workspace to avoid having to ‘update’ models to older database versions.
Next steps
By following these steps, you can smoothly transition between Ecoinvent versions, ensuring your models stay up-to-date with the latest data or remain consistent with older methods depending on your needs.
Please do not hesitate to contact an Ecochain specialist if you have any questions about this process.