Consumption continues to grow, while warnings persist about the fact that more isbeing consumed than the Earth is capable of yielding. This growth in consumption isclearly exemplified in the textile industry, which doubled global fibre productionbetween the years 2000 and 2020, while the population growth was 27% (The WorldBank, 2022). The textile industry is not limited to fashion; it has a wide range ofapplications and sources. However, all materials and industries come with their ownenvironmental challenges, such as land use, water consumption and chemical release,which all have an impact on nature. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method used tomeasure and compare these challenges between products. One of the resources that ismeasured is biodiversity, which is affected by land use. Various models to measurethese effects have been developed by researchers such as Lindeijer (2000), Milá i Canalset al. (2007) and Koellner &amp; Scholz (2008).This study aims to evaluate the effects on the land's ability to reproduce itself bycomparing the plants that can produce two common textile fibres from two types ofland: cotton from agricultural land and viscose from forestry land. The study analysesthe resources required and determines which fibre is the most sustainable in terms ofresource extraction in land, water and chemical use.Two LCA methods were chosen. The primary method is based on data selected by theauthor through literature studies, conversations and statistics, termed the ExplorativeLCA. The second method, the benchmark method, utilized a standardized databaseLCA provided by Ecoinvent, ReCePi and Simapro named Database LCA. The resultsobtained from the two methods stated significant and unexpected differences,encouraging the need for a more in-depth analysis to understand the reasons behindthem.According to the Exploratory LCA the results of the thesis and research questionsindicate that cotton is the preferable fibre compared to viscose. Conversely, theDatabase LCA presents the opposite findings. The results of the method analysisindicate that the integration of different plant cycles was not taken into account. Thisfinding leads the author to strongly recommend to further investigate this limitation / <p>2023-10-11</p>

I denna rapport undersöks motorn ZM10 genom att göra en livscykelanalys, även kallad LCA. Analysen görs för att företaget ZPARQ AB ska kunna få en bild av vilken miljöpåverkan deras motor har vid tillverkning. I rapporten är energiåtgång och koldioxidutsläpp det som undersöks. Motorn som är en eldriven OEM-motor med komponenter som tillverkas i framförallt Kina används för marin framfart och är tillverkad för fiskebåtar samt mindre segelbåtar. Det är en motor som till skillnad från sina konkurrenter är just eldriven och i och med det, är den mycket lättare än de fossildrivna konkurrerande båtmotorerna. För att göra livscykelanalysen undersöks en full beställning som företaget ZPARQ AB ämnat att göra. En beställning ser i dagsläget ut att bli på 100 beställda motorer och för att göra analysen används två standarder, ISO 14040 och ISO 14044. Dessa hjälper till att förklara hur man går tillväga för att göra livscykelanalysen men också för hur man levererar resultatet. De fyra huvudkategorierna i en livscykelanalys, mål och omfattning; inventeringsanalys; miljöpåverkan; rapportering, undersöks för att kunna få en helhetsbild av analysen. Genom att göra en strukturerad analys av målet och omfattningen kan man senare gå vidare med inventeringsanalys. Inventeringsanalysen visar på vad det är för olika komponenter, dess material och tillverkningsprocessen av dessa material. Även transporterna för komponenterna från det att de tillverkas till att de hamnar på företagets lager i Älta. Efter att den iterativa processen som är inventeringsanalysen har gjorts, fortsätter man med en miljöpåverkansbedömning, även kallad LCIA. Den visar att tillverkningen av materialet är det som står till grund för den största delen av miljöpåverkan i form av använd energi i (ca 80 300 MJ) samt av koldioxidutsläpp (6 100 kg CO2). Det materialet med mest energi- och koldioxidutsläpp visar sig vara aluminium. Under tillverkningsprocessen står aluminiumet för det största utsläppet i båda kategorierna. Transporten bidrar förhållandevis lite till miljöpåverkan med transporter för de flesta komponenter från Asien till Sverige. Inom standarden ISO 14044 kan man redovisa möjliga förbättringar som kan göras, i detta fall undersöks skillnaden med att använda delvis återvunnet aluminium. Det påvisar minskningar i utsläppen med cirka 18 procent mindre energiåtgång och 17 procent mindre kg CO2 på de 100 motorer som undersöks. Resultatet av analysen är svår att jämföra med annat då den endast sträcker sig från tillverkning av material och komponenter till företagets lagerhållning. I andra analyser undersöker man hela produktens livscykel från “vagga till grav”, denna analys handlar också, till skillnad från andra, om en prototyp. Avslutningsvis rekommenderas det att fortsätta arbetet genom att göra en fullskalig livscykelanalys efter produktens prototypfas är klar, från just vagga till grav för att kunna ge företaget siffror på vad det finns för miljöpåverkan i hela livscykeln. Även att fortsätta arbetet genom att använda programvaror och/eller databaser för att kunna undersöka vad för typer av utsläpp koldioxidutsläppet består av, rekommenderas. / In this report, the ZM10 engine is examined through a life cycle analysis (LCA). This analysis is conducted to provide ZPARQ AB with an understanding of the environmental impact of their engine during manufacturing. The report primarily investigates energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The ZM10, an electric OEM engine manufactured primarily in China, is used for marine propulsion in fishing boats and smaller sailboats. Unlike its fossil-fueled counterparts, this electric engine is significantly lighter. To perform the life cycle analysis, a full order that ZPARQ AB intends to place is examined, currently comprising 100 engines. The analysis adheres to two standards, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, which guide the methodology of the LCA and the presentation of results. The four main categories of the life cycle analysis—objectives and scope, inventory analysis, environmental impact, and reporting—are explored to provide a comprehensive overview. The analysis begins with a structured examination of the goal and scope, which is followed by an inventory analysis. This analysis details the various components, their materials, and their manufacturing processes. It also includes the transportation of the components from their production sites to the company’s warehouse in Älta. After completing the inventory analysis, the environmental impact assessment (LCIA) is conducted. The LCIA reveals that material manufacturing, particularly of aluminum, constitutes the largest portion of environmental impact, accounting for approximately 80,300 MJ of energy use and 6,100 kg of CO2 emissions. Aluminum manufacturing is the largest contributor to emissions in both categories, while transportation from Asia to Sweden contributes relatively little to the overall environmental impact. Within the framework of ISO 14044, potential improvements are assessed, including the use of partially recycled aluminum. This change could reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively, across the 100 engines analyzed. The results of this analysis are challenging to compare with others since it only extends from the manufacture of materials and components to the company’s warehousing. Unlike other analyses that examine the entire life cycle from "cradle to grave," this study focuses on a prototype. In conclusion, it is recommended that ZPARQ AB continue this work by conducting a full-scale life cycle analysis post-prototype phase, covering the entire life cycle "from cradle to grave," to provide comprehensive environmental impact figures. It is also advised to continue utilizing software and/or databases to further investigate the specific types of emissions comprising the CO2 emissions.

O principal instrumento de avaliação dos impactos ambientais do ciclo de vida de produtos é a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Uma de suas fases, a Avaliação de Impacto do Ciclo de Vida (AICV) refere-se ao processo quantitativo e/ou qualitativo aplicado na caracterização e avaliação dos impactos associados ao inventário do ciclo de vida. Dentre os impactos ambientais avaliados, estão aqueles relacionados ao uso da terra. Um dos grandes desafios no campo da ACV refere-se diferenciação espacial e temporal nos métodos de AICV, sobretudo para impactos devido à transformação e ocupação da terra. Torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de modelos de caracterização e/ou adaptação daqueles já existentes de maneira que possam considerar as características ambientais regionais de cada país, visando à obtenção de resultados mais consistentes e precisos. Assim, este trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar a aplicabilidade e a regionalização dos principais modelos de caracterização de impactos do uso da terra para a Avaliação do Impacto do Ciclo de Vida no Brasil. Para tanto foi conduzida uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, a qual subsidiou a descrição e análise de dezesseis principais modelos de caracterização para avaliação de impactos do uso da terra. Durante a etapa de análise, as informações referentes a cada modelo foram classificadas de acordo com diferentes critérios, como: abordagem midpoint/endpoint, área de cobertura, área de coleta dos dados, diferenciação bio-geográfica, tempo de recuperação, situação de referência, robustez científica e relevância ambiental. Observou-se que seis modelos, de abrangência de aplicação global, apresentam robustez científica e relevância ambiental satisfatória para a avaliação dos impactos nos serviços ecossistêmicos e na biodiversidade: Brandão & Milà i Canals (2013); Müller-Wenk & Brandão (2010); Nunez et al. (2010); Saad, Koellner, Margni (2013); Souza (2010); Souza et al. (2013). Outra contribuição do trabalho refere-se às recomendações para a adaptação de modelos de caracterização, visando a regionalização, para a qual uma série de elementos-chave deve ser considerada, tais como o mecanismo ambiental modelado, a tipologia de uso do solo, o nível de diferenciação bio-geográfica usado para o cálculo dos fatores de caracterização e a situação de referência utilizada. / The main technique for assessing the environmental impacts of the product life cycle is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). One of its phases, the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) refers to quantitative and / or qualitative process applied to the characterization and assessment of impacts associated with the life cycle inventory. Among the environmental impacts evaluated in LCA are those related to land use. A major challenge in the field of LCA refers to spatial and temporal differentiation in LCIA methods, especially for impacts due to land occupation and land transformation. It becomes necessary to develop models for the characterization and / or adapting existing ones so that they can consider regional environmental characteristics of each country, in order to obtain more consistent and accurate results. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the applicability and regionalization of the land use impacts characterization models in the Life Cycle Impact Assessment in Brazil. To achieve that, a systematic literature review was performed, which subsidized the description and analysis of sixteen major characterization models for land use impact assessment. During the analysis, the information regarding each model were classified according to different criteria, such as midpoint/ endpoint approach, coverage area, area of data collection, bio-geographical differentiation, recovery time, reference land use situation, scientific robustness and environmental relevance. It was observed that six models, with a global scope, present scientific robustness and environmental relevance sufficient for the assessment of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services: Brandão & Milà i Canals (2013); Müller-Wenk & Brandão (2010); Nunez et al. (2010); Saad, Koellner, Margni (2013); Souza (2010); Souza et al. (2013). Another contribution of this work were the recommendations for adapting characterization models, for which a number of key elements must be considered, such as the modelled land use impact pathways, the land use typology, the level of bio-geographical differentiation used for the characterization factors and the reference land use situation.

Apesar de ser uma técnica de avaliação de impactos ambientais reconhecida e utilizada internacionalmente, a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) encontra dificuldades em integrar aspectos espaciais e temporais em suas avaliações. Esta questão tem fomentado pesquisas voltadas à inserção da diferenciação espacial tanto na fase de inventário (ICV), por meio do levantamento de dados contendo informações espaciais em diversas escalas, quanto na fase de avaliação de impacto (AICV), por meio do desenvolvimento de fatores de caracterização espacialmente diferenciados. Os usos da terra e suas dinâmicas temporais e espaciais têm sido foco destas pesquisas de modo a verificar suas implicações sobre a biodiversidade e os serviços dos ecossistemas decorrentes, principalmente de atividades como a agricultura. Sendo a cana-de-açúcar a principal matéria-prima para o etanol combustível no Brasil e ocupando extensas áreas na Bacia Hidrográfica do Tietê-Jacaré-SP, o presente trabalho se propõe a discutir a aplicabilidade de modelos de caracterização de impactos relacionados aos usos da terra em uma abordagem específica ao local, adotando-se como base para aplicação o cenário de expansão da cana-de-açúcar nesta bacia. Para tal, foram selecionados três modelos de caracterização relacionados a três vias de impacto: biodiversidade, produção biótica potencial (PBP) e potencial de regulação da erosão (PRE). Esses modelos foram aplicados ao processo produtivo da cana-de-açúcar adaptando-os para a área de estudo, nos quais os dados de inventário foram levantados por meio dos softwares de SIG IDRISI TAIGA e ArcGis 10.2 e na literatura. Posteriormente esses modelos foram aplicados utilizando a abordagem loco-dependente e os resultados comparados com os da avaliação específica. Para a categoria biodiversidade houve maior dificuldade para obtenção de informações locais e, portanto, utilizou-se uma simplificação do modelo selecionado, não sendo possível sua aplicação loco-dependente. Já para as outras categorias, a aplicação apresentou acentuada diferenciação dos resultados em relação à abordagem loco-dependente, indicando que os valores globais de ICV sugeridos pelos autores para estas categorias não representam a realidade brasileira e, portanto, valores específicos ao local oferecem informações de maior qualidade para tomada de decisão em âmbito regional e local. Os resultados ainda apontam significativas diferenças nas avaliações segundo os diferentes tipos de solo e bioma nos quais ocorrerá a expansão da cana para as categorias PBP e PRE. Conclui-se que os modelos desenvolvidos para PBP e PRE possuem potencial de aplicação em escala local ao passo que os modelos desenvolvidos para biodiversidade necessitam de algumas simplificações e implicam em maiores incertezas. A disponibilidade dos dados necessários para esta abordagem pode constituir um fator limitante para sua aplicação, além disso, a escolha da melhor abordagem a ser utilizada irá depender dos objetivos do estudo. / Despite its international use and recognized nature as an Environmental Impact Assessment technique, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) leads to difficulties on integrating spatial and temporal aspects in their assessment. There has been a rising interest in researches related to the inclusion of spatial differentiation both in the inventory phase (LCI), through data collection containing spatial information at various scales, and in the impact assessment phase (LCIA), through the development of spatially explicit characterization factors. Land use and its temporal and spatial dynamics have receive priority attention in order to verify their implications on biodiversity and ecosystem services derived mainly from activities such as agriculture. Since sugarcane is the main raw material for fuel ethanol in Brazil and occupying large areas in the Tietê-Jacaré-SP watershed, this study aims to discuss the applicability of characterization models of impacts associated to land uses in a site specific approach, adopting as the basis for application the expansion scenario of sugarcane in this area. This has been done by selecting three characterization models related to three impact pathways: biodiversity, biotic production potential (BPP) and erosion regulation potential (ERP). These models were applied to the sugarcane production process by means of their adaptation to the area of study and taking into account the literature and the inventory collected through GIS software IDRISI TAIGA and ArcGIS 10.2. Later, these models were applied using the site-dependent approach and the results were compared to the site specific assessment. Obtaining local information of biodiversity impact category was found to be difficult, therefore, simplifications of the model selected were employed, not allowing site-dependent application. Regarding the other categories, the research results demonstrate pronounced differentiation compared to site-dependent approach. This indicate that global values used on the papers of de the models developed do not represent Brazilian reality and therefore site-specific assessments have greater benefit for decision making at regional and local level. Moreover, the assessments show significant differences according to different soil types and biome in which sugarcane expansion will occur for BPP and ERP impact categories. Against this backdrop, it is concluded that the models developed for BPP and ERP have potential of application at local scale while the models developed for biodiversity require some simplifications and imply greater uncertainty. The availability of necessary data to this approach can be a limiting factor in their application. Furthermore selecting the best approach to be used will depend on the objectives of the study.

Apesar de ser uma técnica de avaliação de impactos ambientais reconhecida e utilizada internacionalmente, a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) encontra dificuldades em integrar aspectos espaciais e temporais em suas avaliações. Esta questão tem fomentado pesquisas voltadas à inserção da diferenciação espacial tanto na fase de inventário (ICV), por meio do levantamento de dados contendo informações espaciais em diversas escalas, quanto na fase de avaliação de impacto (AICV), por meio do desenvolvimento de fatores de caracterização espacialmente diferenciados. Os usos da terra e suas dinâmicas temporais e espaciais têm sido foco destas pesquisas de modo a verificar suas implicações sobre a biodiversidade e os serviços dos ecossistemas decorrentes, principalmente de atividades como a agricultura. Sendo a cana-de-açúcar a principal matéria-prima para o etanol combustível no Brasil e ocupando extensas áreas na Bacia Hidrográfica do Tietê-Jacaré-SP, o presente trabalho se propõe a discutir a aplicabilidade de modelos de caracterização de impactos relacionados aos usos da terra em uma abordagem específica ao local, adotando-se como base para aplicação o cenário de expansão da cana-de-açúcar nesta bacia. Para tal, foram selecionados três modelos de caracterização relacionados a três vias de impacto: biodiversidade, produção biótica potencial (PBP) e potencial de regulação da erosão (PRE). Esses modelos foram aplicados ao processo produtivo da cana-de-açúcar adaptando-os para a área de estudo, nos quais os dados de inventário foram levantados por meio dos softwares de SIG IDRISI TAIGA e ArcGis 10.2 e na literatura. Posteriormente esses modelos foram aplicados utilizando a abordagem loco-dependente e os resultados comparados com os da avaliação específica. Para a categoria biodiversidade houve maior dificuldade para obtenção de informações locais e, portanto, utilizou-se uma simplificação do modelo selecionado, não sendo possível sua aplicação loco-dependente. Já para as outras categorias, a aplicação apresentou acentuada diferenciação dos resultados em relação à abordagem loco-dependente, indicando que os valores globais de ICV sugeridos pelos autores para estas categorias não representam a realidade brasileira e, portanto, valores específicos ao local oferecem informações de maior qualidade para tomada de decisão em âmbito regional e local. Os resultados ainda apontam significativas diferenças nas avaliações segundo os diferentes tipos de solo e bioma nos quais ocorrerá a expansão da cana para as categorias PBP e PRE. Conclui-se que os modelos desenvolvidos para PBP e PRE possuem potencial de aplicação em escala local ao passo que os modelos desenvolvidos para biodiversidade necessitam de algumas simplificações e implicam em maiores incertezas. A disponibilidade dos dados necessários para esta abordagem pode constituir um fator limitante para sua aplicação, além disso, a escolha da melhor abordagem a ser utilizada irá depender dos objetivos do estudo. / Despite its international use and recognized nature as an Environmental Impact Assessment technique, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) leads to difficulties on integrating spatial and temporal aspects in their assessment. There has been a rising interest in researches related to the inclusion of spatial differentiation both in the inventory phase (LCI), through data collection containing spatial information at various scales, and in the impact assessment phase (LCIA), through the development of spatially explicit characterization factors. Land use and its temporal and spatial dynamics have receive priority attention in order to verify their implications on biodiversity and ecosystem services derived mainly from activities such as agriculture. Since sugarcane is the main raw material for fuel ethanol in Brazil and occupying large areas in the Tietê-Jacaré-SP watershed, this study aims to discuss the applicability of characterization models of impacts associated to land uses in a site specific approach, adopting as the basis for application the expansion scenario of sugarcane in this area. This has been done by selecting three characterization models related to three impact pathways: biodiversity, biotic production potential (BPP) and erosion regulation potential (ERP). These models were applied to the sugarcane production process by means of their adaptation to the area of study and taking into account the literature and the inventory collected through GIS software IDRISI TAIGA and ArcGIS 10.2. Later, these models were applied using the site-dependent approach and the results were compared to the site specific assessment. Obtaining local information of biodiversity impact category was found to be difficult, therefore, simplifications of the model selected were employed, not allowing site-dependent application. Regarding the other categories, the research results demonstrate pronounced differentiation compared to site-dependent approach. This indicate that global values used on the papers of de the models developed do not represent Brazilian reality and therefore site-specific assessments have greater benefit for decision making at regional and local level. Moreover, the assessments show significant differences according to different soil types and biome in which sugarcane expansion will occur for BPP and ERP impact categories. Against this backdrop, it is concluded that the models developed for BPP and ERP have potential of application at local scale while the models developed for biodiversity require some simplifications and imply greater uncertainty. The availability of necessary data to this approach can be a limiting factor in their application. Furthermore selecting the best approach to be used will depend on the objectives of the study.

O principal instrumento de avaliação dos impactos ambientais do ciclo de vida de produtos é a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Uma de suas fases, a Avaliação de Impacto do Ciclo de Vida (AICV) refere-se ao processo quantitativo e/ou qualitativo aplicado na caracterização e avaliação dos impactos associados ao inventário do ciclo de vida. Dentre os impactos ambientais avaliados, estão aqueles relacionados ao uso da terra. Um dos grandes desafios no campo da ACV refere-se diferenciação espacial e temporal nos métodos de AICV, sobretudo para impactos devido à transformação e ocupação da terra. Torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de modelos de caracterização e/ou adaptação daqueles já existentes de maneira que possam considerar as características ambientais regionais de cada país, visando à obtenção de resultados mais consistentes e precisos. Assim, este trabalho tem o objetivo de analisar a aplicabilidade e a regionalização dos principais modelos de caracterização de impactos do uso da terra para a Avaliação do Impacto do Ciclo de Vida no Brasil. Para tanto foi conduzida uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, a qual subsidiou a descrição e análise de dezesseis principais modelos de caracterização para avaliação de impactos do uso da terra. Durante a etapa de análise, as informações referentes a cada modelo foram classificadas de acordo com diferentes critérios, como: abordagem midpoint/endpoint, área de cobertura, área de coleta dos dados, diferenciação bio-geográfica, tempo de recuperação, situação de referência, robustez científica e relevância ambiental. Observou-se que seis modelos, de abrangência de aplicação global, apresentam robustez científica e relevância ambiental satisfatória para a avaliação dos impactos nos serviços ecossistêmicos e na biodiversidade: Brandão & Milà i Canals (2013); Müller-Wenk & Brandão (2010); Nunez et al. (2010); Saad, Koellner, Margni (2013); Souza (2010); Souza et al. (2013). Outra contribuição do trabalho refere-se às recomendações para a adaptação de modelos de caracterização, visando a regionalização, para a qual uma série de elementos-chave deve ser considerada, tais como o mecanismo ambiental modelado, a tipologia de uso do solo, o nível de diferenciação bio-geográfica usado para o cálculo dos fatores de caracterização e a situação de referência utilizada. / The main technique for assessing the environmental impacts of the product life cycle is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). One of its phases, the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) refers to quantitative and / or qualitative process applied to the characterization and assessment of impacts associated with the life cycle inventory. Among the environmental impacts evaluated in LCA are those related to land use. A major challenge in the field of LCA refers to spatial and temporal differentiation in LCIA methods, especially for impacts due to land occupation and land transformation. It becomes necessary to develop models for the characterization and / or adapting existing ones so that they can consider regional environmental characteristics of each country, in order to obtain more consistent and accurate results. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the applicability and regionalization of the land use impacts characterization models in the Life Cycle Impact Assessment in Brazil. To achieve that, a systematic literature review was performed, which subsidized the description and analysis of sixteen major characterization models for land use impact assessment. During the analysis, the information regarding each model were classified according to different criteria, such as midpoint/ endpoint approach, coverage area, area of data collection, bio-geographical differentiation, recovery time, reference land use situation, scientific robustness and environmental relevance. It was observed that six models, with a global scope, present scientific robustness and environmental relevance sufficient for the assessment of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services: Brandão & Milà i Canals (2013); Müller-Wenk & Brandão (2010); Nunez et al. (2010); Saad, Koellner, Margni (2013); Souza (2010); Souza et al. (2013). Another contribution of this work were the recommendations for adapting characterization models, for which a number of key elements must be considered, such as the modelled land use impact pathways, the land use typology, the level of bio-geographical differentiation used for the characterization factors and the reference land use situation.

The growing industry of Information and Communication Technology requires higher computing capacity of data centers. The air conditioning in data centers is a key to assure a sustainable computing environment. However, the traditional cooling systems cost large environmental footprints especially on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a green innovation of data center cooling solutions is taking place. The telecommunication company Teliasonera is developing a high density data center cooling system - the “Green Room” and has been studying the environmental performance of this system using a Life Cycle approach. As an extension of the previous study, more aspects of the project i.e. the location of the data center, life span, alternative cooling solutions, energy recovery possibilities and uncertainty analysis is explored using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The comparison of locations of the Green Room indicates that the local temperature and electricity production sources are essential factors for the environmental performance of the Green Room. The analysis of the Green Room’s life span reveals that the utilization phase may not always cause the most significant impact during the whole life cycle of the Green Room. If the life span changes, the manufacture phase may predominate the life cycle of the Green Room. The comparative result of alternative cooling technologies addresses that utilizing “natural coolant” (e.g. geo cooling) is a key for sustainable cooling innovation as it could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the cooling system. Besides, heating a single building (partly) by the waste heat generated from the Green Room could save 30% of cumulative energy input and could reduce more than half of the total environmental impact. Additionally, results uncertainties caused by the choice of different LCIA methods are discussed in the end of the study. / Teliasonera's Green Room concept

The growing industry of Information and Communication Technology requires higher computing capacity of data centers. The air conditioning in data centers is a key to assure a sustainable computing environment. However, the traditional cooling systems cost large environmental footprints especially on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a green innovation of data center cooling solutions is taking place. The telecommunication company Teliasonera is developing a high density data center cooling system - the “Green Room” and has been studying the environmental performance of this system using a Life Cycle approach. As an extension of the previous study, more aspects of the project i.e. the location of the data center, life span, alternative cooling solutions, energy recovery possibilities and uncertainty analysis is explored using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The comparison of locations of the Green Room indicates that the local temperature and electricity production sources are essential factors for the environmental performance of the Green Room. The analysis of the Green Room’s life span reveals that the utilization phase may not always cause the most significant impact during the whole life cycle of the Green Room. If the life span changes, the manufacture phase may predominate the life cycle of the Green Room. The comparative result of alternative cooling technologies addresses that utilizing “natural coolant” (e.g. geo cooling) is a key for sustainable cooling innovation as it could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the cooling system. Besides, heating a single building (partly) by the waste heat generated from the Green Room could save 30% of cumulative energy input and could reduce more than half of the total environmental impact. Additionally, results uncertainties caused by the choice of different LCIA methods are discussed in the end of the study. / Teliasonera's Green Room concept

The growing industry of Information and Communication Technology requires higher computing capacity of data centers/technical sites. The air conditioning in data centers is the key to assure a sustainable computing environment. However, the traditional cooling systems cost are responsible for large environmental footprints especially on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a green innovation of data center cooling solutions is taking place. The telecommunication company Teliasonera is developing a high density data center cooling system - the “Green Room” and has been studying the environmental performance of this system using a Life Cycle approach. As an extension of the previous study, more aspects of the project i.e. the location, life span, alternative cooling solutions, energy recovery possibilities and uncertainty analysis is explored by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The comparison of the locations of the Green Room indicates that the local temperature and electricity production sources are essential factors for the environmental performance of the Green Room. The analysis of the Green Room’s life span reveals that the utilization phase may not always cause the most significant impact during the whole life cycle of the Green Room. If the life span changes, the manufacture phase may predominate the life cycle of the Green Room. The comparative result of alternative cooling technologies addresses that utilizing “natural coolant” (e.g. geo cooling) is a key for sustainable cooling innovation as it would significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the cooling system. Besides, heating a single building (partly) by the waste heat generated from the Green Room could save 30% of cumulative energy input and could reduce more than half of the total environmental impact. Additionally, results uncertainties caused by the choice of different LCIA methods are discussed in the end of the study. / The Teliasonera Green Room Concept for high and mid density of ICT equipment

International LCA literature indicates that little data is available pertaining to potable water production and supply, in particular with respect to the environmental burdens generated within the system. This study aims to investigate and assess the environmental burdens associated with the potable water supply to an industrial area (Rosslyn, north of Pretoria, in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality). The procedure, as well as the assessment of the environmental impacts of a life cycle, is dependent on a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) of the evaluated system. Water use is included in LCIs, which are incorporated into the LCIA procedure, as it reflects a direct extraction from available resources. The water supply system diagram has been developed and data was collected, treated and analysed in the inventory analysis phase. The study closely followed the four phases as stipulated in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14040 series of standards) for conducting LCAs, including: -- goal and scope definition; -- LCI analysis; -- LCIA; and -- interpretation, conclusions and recommendations. The methodology used in the impact assessment phase was the introduced LCIA framework for South Africa in order to determine the extent of different environmental impacts. The inventory analysis, conforming to the scope of the study, provided an overall inventory of energy and other resource requirements, emissions to water and air, dust fallouts and solid or liquid wastes for the system under study. By using this methodology and by tracing all unit processes involved in the potable water supply system, the main contribution to the environmental burdens imposed on the potable water supply system was found to be the extraction of the required water from nature to supply potable water to Rosslyn. The toxicity potential impacts on water resources, mainly due to the electricity required for the water supply system, are of minor importance. This conclusion is valid for the system investigated, and as a result, the recommendations for environmental improvements should focus on water losses that must be addressed foremost. What is required at this stage is strategic planning regarding the extraction, use and conservation of water resources. Furthermore, to optimise all processes of water extraction, and to make them more efficient, electricity and other energy inputs are also of importance, albeit to a lesser extent. / Dissertation (M (Applied Sciences : Environmental Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted