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

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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
Date
2013
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
168-179
Series
ENERGY, Volume 63, issue 15
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.
Description
Keywords
district energy systems, energy-efficient design solutions, LCA (life cycle assessment), LCC (life cycle costing), LCM (life cycle management), Real Estate Business, REB, sustainable residential development
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Citation
Ristimäki, M, Säynäjoki, A, Heinonen, J & Junnila, S 2013, ' Combining life cycle costing and life cycle assessment for an analysis of a new residential district energy system design ', Energy, vol. 63, no. 15, pp. 168-179 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.10.030