Elsevier

Energy

Volume 63, 15 December 2013, Pages 168-179
Energy

Combining life cycle costing and life cycle assessment for an analysis of a new residential district energy system design

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.10.030Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Life cycle study (LCC and LCA) of a district energy system for a new residential development in Finland.

  • Four different energy systems (including renewable energy) are examined from a life cycle cost and carbon perspective.

  • Lower operational costs and carbon emissions achieved through higher initial investments from a life cycle perspective.

  • By performing an LCC and LCA analysis in an early design phase; justified sustainable design decisions can be recognized.

Abstract

Due to the growing threat of climate change, we are challenged to find improved assessment practises to recognize solutions for sustainable urban development. The focus of the study is on the life cycle design of a district energy system for a new residential development in Finland. This study analyses LCC (life cycle costs) and carbon emissions (LCA (life cycle assessment)), i.e., the “viability” of different energy systems through a methodological life cycle framework. By combining LCC and LCA, a LCM (life cycle management) perspective is portrayed to support decision-making on a long-term basis. The comparable energy design options analysed are (1) district heating (reference design), (2) district heating with building integrated photovoltaic panels, (3) ground source heat pump, and (4) ground source heat pump with building-integrated photovoltaic panels. The results show that the design option with the highest initial investment (4) is in fact the most viable from a life cycle perspective. This study further strengthens the connection between cost savings and carbon emissions reduction in a life cycle context. Thus, by implementing LCC and LCA analysis in an early design phase, justified economic and environmental design decisions can be identified to develop more sustainable urban areas.

Keywords

LCA (life cycle assessment)
LCC (life cycle costing)
LCM (life cycle management)
Sustainable residential development
Energy-efficient design solutions
District energy systems

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