Life Cycle Assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) research at DEL is undertaken by a multi-disciplinary group of engineers, architects and an environmental scientist.  LCA provides a framework for quantifying the potential environmental impacts of material and energy inputs and outputs of a process or product from "cradle to grave". The focus of the LCA research is to guide technology and energy policy decisions with evidence-based, balanced and clear descriptions of the environmental impacts of buildings and renewable energy systems. The research group draws on research carried out by others in DEL as well on national and international developments in the area. The LCA group is presently working in the following areas:

• Embodied energy in Irish buildings
• Reducing life cycle impacts of the existing housing stock
• Comparative analysis of LCA methodologies in the built environment
• Incorporation of life cycle models in determining optimal wind energy Infrastructure

For further information on any of the above projects please contact Dr Aidan Duffy