PhD Courses in Denmark

Advanced LCA – Consequential and IO-based Life Cycle Assessment

The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design at Aalborg University

Welcome to Advanced LCA – Consequential and IO-based Life Cycle Assessment

Description:

The course aims at strengthening skills in life cycle inventory analysis. The course targets the development of advanced competences in LCA by applying the problem based-learning (PBL) teaching model that focuses on learning by doing and reflection. We also apply a hybrid (online + physical) and flipped classroom approach where materials (readings, videos) are provided to the students in advance and the time spent in classroom/videomeeting is used for Q&A, hands-on exercises, discussions. The course activities will include intensive group work, problem defining and solving applied to real-word cases, practical exercises, and discussion sessions or workshops. The target audience of the course is academics (PhDs, postdoc, other) or professionals who already have basic experience with LCA and intend to bring their LCA competences to an advanced level. Basic experience means for example having carried out simple LCAs before or having elementary knowledge of LCA theory. The course content is organized in three modules.

Module 1. Consequential LCAStudents will learn the fundamentals of Consequential LCA. Topics covered: Introduction to attributional and consequential models. Algorithms for performing consequential LCA in the definition of functional unit, consumption mix, and identification of determining and dependent coproducts. Communicating consequential models. The module includes exercises.

Module 2. Stochastic LCA In this hands-on module students will learn how to use the software Brightway2 for stochastic and other LCA simulations. Topics covered: Computational structure of LCA. Computer simulation and statistical approaches for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in LCA. LCA reproducibility and data sharing. The module includes exercises.

Module 3. Input output LCAStudents will learn the fundamentals of Input-Output modelling. Topics covered: supply-use tables, multi-regional models and trade linking. Integrating process LCA and IO-analysis via hybrid LCA, tiered and embedded. The module includes exercises.

For additional information, updates, and registration, please refer to AAU PhD Moodle via the link provided on the right side of this page.