A Comparative Analysis of Six Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methodologies

Four life cycle impact (LCIA) methodologies were utilized to quantify the environmental impacts of 10 energy system transportation gases. The inventory assessment results from GREET 1.5a were utilized for the following pollutant: were CO2, CH4, N2O, CO, SOx, NOx, VOC and PM10. Results showed that the greenhouse gases had the highest impact contribution. All LCIA methods agreed that hydrogen is the best fuel. Based on correlation analysis, FRED, EDIP and chemical exergy gave comparable results based on ranking while critical volumes, ecological footprint and LCA-NETS showed lower correlation. Correlation of these provides a means of reconciling the different methodologies for more comprehensive decision support. I