NDLI: Interoperability between ecoinvent ver. 3 and US LCI database: a case study

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Suh, Sangwon Leighton, Matthew Tomar, Shivira Chen, Christine
Copyright Year	2013
Abstract	Building a global Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database from scratch with a harmonized method and wide process coverage would require significant resources. Therefore, it is worth examining to what extent existing LCI datasets can be adapted to form the basis of a more common database. This study examines the opportunities and challenges of transforming the existing US Life Cycle Inventory (US LCI) database to meet the intrinsic (e.g., assumptions, methods, completeness) and extrinsic (e.g., data format) requirements of ecoinvent 3.Nineteen US LCI datasets were selected for transformation. Datasets were first converted in batch from EcoSpold 1 to EcoSpold 2 format using an automated tool based on a Python script. Other changes necessary to conform to ecoinvent standards were made manually, such as changing activity and flow names, mapping dummy exchanges, and creating global reference datasets. To address data gaps and other data quality issues, each dataset was assessed against ecoinvent 3 data quality guidelines and missing information was noted. When available, public reports for the US LCI datasets were examined to fill in data gaps. Datasets were also compared against similar processes in ecoinvent to see if there were any significant flows omitted; missing flows were filled by using estimates for these exchanges from similar processes already within ecoinvent.The automated tool for data exchange format conversion saved time and reduced the potential for error. Even so, a nontrivial amount of time and research was spent on the manual changes needed to conform to ecoinvent standards. Addressing data gaps and other data quality issues also required considerable effort. In general, US LCI datasets were missing the following data required by ecoinvent 3: land use, water, and infrastructure exchanges; production volumes; uncertainty and data quality information; and adequate documentation of system boundaries, methodology, and process technology. Much of this missing data could be filled by examining available reports, using ecoinvent data as proxies, or conducting independent research. However, in some cases, such as for water data, adequate estimates could not be determined based on readily available materials.This case study showed that it is possible to incorporate existing regional datasets into ecoinvent version 3, but significant resources may be required to restructure the datasets and fill data gaps. While this study focused on the US LCI and ecoinvent databases, its lessons can be applied to any inter-database conversion. In particular, new national LCI database initiatives should consider compatibility with established databases such as ecoinvent when designing the database framework, standards and guidelines.
Starting Page	1290
Ending Page	1298
Page Count	9
File Format	PDF
ISSN	09483349
Journal	The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Volume Number	21
Issue Number	9
e-ISSN	16147502
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publisher Date	2013-06-11
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Data exchange format Ecoinvent Interoperability National LCI database US LCI Environment Environmental Economics Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology Environmental Chemistry
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Environmental Science

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

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