Course info

The course aims at strengthening skills in life cycle inventory analysis. The course targets the development of advanced competences in LCA by applying the problem based-learning (PBL) teaching model that focuses on learning by doing and reflection. We also apply a hybrid (online + physical) and flipped classroom approach where materials (readings, videos) are provided to the students in advance and the time spent in classroom/videomeeting is used for Q&A, hands-on exercises, discussions. The course activities will include intensive group work, problem defining and solving applied to real-word cases, practical exercises, and discussion sessions or workshops. The target audience of the course is academics (PhDs, postdoc, other) or professionals who already have basic experience with LCA and intend to bring their LCA competences to an advanced level. Basic experience means for example having carried out simple LCAs before or having elementary knowledge of LCA theory. The course content is organized in three modules.

Module 1. Consequential LCA

Students will learn the fundamentals of Consequential LCA. Topics covered: Introduction to attributional and consequential models. Algorithms for performing consequential LCA in the definition of functional unit, consumption mix, and identification of determining and dependent coproducts. Communicating consequential models. The module includes exercises.

Module 2. Stochastic LCA

In this hands-on module students will learn how to use the software Brightway2 for stochastic and other LCA simulations. Topics covered: Computational structure of LCA. Computer simulation and statistical approaches for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in LCA. LCA reproducibility and data sharing. The module includes exercises.

Module 3. Input output LCA

Students will learn the fundamentals of Input-Output modelling. Topics covered: supply-use tables, multi-regional models and trade linking. Integrating process LCA and IO-analysis via hybrid LCA, tiered and embedded. The module includes exercises.

Prices:

Attendee / Price*

PhD students affiliated to a Danish University / Free

PhD students not affiliated to a Danish University      / 4.500 DKK (600 EUR) Academics (e.g. postdoc and professors) / 9.000 DKK (1200 EUR) Professionals (consultancy, industry, etc.) / 18.000 DKK (2400 EUR)

* Prices do not cover meals or accommodation

Organizers:

The course is organized by The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design, Aalborg University and Danish Centre for Environmental Assessment (DCEA) www.DCEA.dk, in collaboration with the International Life Cycle Academy (ILCA) www.ILCA.es

Lecturers:

Massimo Pizzol, Professor, Jannick Schmidt, Professor Søren Løkke, Associate professor Agneta Ghose, Postdoc

Registration and info:

Please apply via mail to the course organizer Massimo Pizzol (massimo@plan.aau.dk). You must provide the following information in the email: Full name / Profession (PhD student, postdoc, consultant…) / Institution name / Address / email address / Phone nr / your research field or Phd topic / your experience with LCA

ECTS Distribution

The five ECTS credits of the course are divided roughly in this way:

Activity Hours     ECTS

Lectures and group work in class 50 1.8 Readings 35 1.3

Group work prior to course      20 0.7 Group work after course 35 1.3

Total      140 5.0

*One ECTS credit is equivalent to 28 hours of work

Activities: Includes attending to the lectures and performing exercises in class.

Readings: Approx. 100 pages of scientific articles and reports, that are provided to the students, plus python tutorials and videos.

Group work: students work in groups (max 5 people). Each group will work on a case study and apply the knowledge of the course on the case study.

EXAMPLE, a group works on an LCA of a product and does:

-            prior to the course: choice of product and data mining, getting base knowledge and data to describe the product system.

-            during the course (exercises in class): consequential inventory with matrix format, IO LCA inventory, inclusion of iLUC, inclusion of social impacts, etc.

-            after the course: organize the material and prepare a portfolio/article where all the techniques are presented for the case study.

Eventually, all portfolios are made available. Each student will thus get the info on five different cases. Students should be able to organize themselves using online tools (skype, dropbox etc) to collaborate in group remotely prior and after the course.