A Framework for Multi-level Life Cycle Analysis of the Energy System

The energy sector is undergoing a major transformation that is characterized by greater convergence of power, transportation, and industrial sectors and inter-sectoral integration. The existing techniques and tools are unable to accurately estimate the environmental impact of this paradigm shift. To develop a realistic understanding of these dynamics, we have developed a modeling framework that is designed to explore the emissions impacts of all relevant technological, operational, temporal, and geospatial characteristics of the evolving energy system. The tool is built as a MATLAB app that encapsulates MATLAB models, databases, and integrated process simulations. A modular framework constitutes the underlying analytical engine that covers all the life stages of major energy conversion pathways. The current version of the tool contains more than 900 individual pathways, which are responsible for similar to 80% of US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here wepresent an overview of the tool, the modeling approach and example results of case studies investigating electric power system.