Energy LCA : from Past to Future

Abstract

The word “Energy LCA” has a double meaning. First, the word means LCA that focuses on energy requirement as an environmental impact, for example, estimating embodied energy requirements for a wide range of goods and services throughout their life cycles. Second meaning of the word is LCA for energy supply technologies or systems, for example, to estimate environmental impacts such as CO₂ and solid waste emissions across the life cycle of solar photovoltaic power generation. The present paper gives an overview of various “Energy LCA” conducted from past to present considering the double meaning, and then presents future developments of “Energy LCA” from the perspective of its contribution to formulating energy and environmental policies.