EPD - Axpo

3 Environmental impact declaration3.1 The Life-Cycle Assessment methodologyAccording to the ISO 14025 standard, the LCA methodologywas applied to quantify the global environmentalimpact. LCA is a clearly structured frameworkbased on international standards 2 that facilitates thequantification and assessment of emissions to theenvironment and re source usage along the entireelectricity production chain. The LCA findings includecomprehensive assessments of the overall energy,mass and emission flows and the proportionate contributionsof each of the key processes involved.Furthermore, it also provides quantification of significantenvironmental indicators, such as greenhousegas emissions. However, despite these advantages,there are some issues beyond the scope of an LCA.For example, the LCA study only takes into accountthe normal operating conditions and processes.Unusual process conditions such as accidents areexcluded. Additionally, while attempting to considerthe “big picture” or total process chain, one caneasily loose sight of the local environmental effectse.g. the impact on flora and fauna in the immediatevicinity of the power plant. Finally, an LCA study onlyquantifies environmental impacts; no economic, socialor ethical aspects are considered.3.2 System boundaries, allocations,and data sourcesThe LCA comprises the full plant life-cycle and associatedprocesses from ”cradle to grave”, starting withthe construction of the plant and the installation ofthe equipment, followed by the operation of the plantand ending with the dismantling and restoration ofthe original conditions. The reference period is the2009/10 year. The period chosen covers one businessyear of the Löntsch power plant. The figure below is asimplified process chain with system boundaries forthe LCA of electricity from the Löntsch power plant.Upstream processes Core processes Downstream processesConstruction anddecommissioning ofthe power plant, e. g.power house and damInfrastructureProduction of chemicalsand electricityOperation of theLöntsch power plantDistribution inthe Axpo AG networkLCA system boundariesInstallations (e. g. turbinecomponents, cranes,generators, transformers)Simplified process chain of electricity generation and distribution from Löntsch power plant during the reference year 2009/10.2 ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 as well as Product Category Rules, PCR-CPC17