01662650

Component

Feedstock energy is the combustible energy content in a material. This study aims to critically evaluate the reporting of feedstock energy in life cycle assessments (LCAs), environmental product declarations (EPDs), product category rules (PCRs) and other sources. A comprehensive analysis of the consistency in nomenclature and definitions relating to feedstock energy and other related energy terms, and the consistency in reporting of feedstock energy use in various sectors was carried out by reviewing scientific reports, articles, tools and standardization documents. The main industry of interest was paving but other related industries were researched for comparative purposes and consistency. Relevant industries were identified such as, construction, roofing, wood, flooring, and plastics. A detailed inventory was compiled mainly for the United States, but also using representative documents from other countries. Although there may be some consistency in definitions of feedstock energy and related terms, there is little consistency in how they are reported and/or compiled in EPDs, PCRs and LCAs. Feedstock energy allocation may be considered as either a material or an energy resource. This causes differing units (energy versus mass) and uncertainty as to whether total primary energy includes or does not include materials that have energy content available for use. With these allocation and reporting options being used without harmonization, the possibility for double counting from EPDs may exist. Additionally, feedstock energy is seen to be allocated to different processes, or products in different reports. Future efforts at harmonization, especially in EPD reporting, are recommended.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC60 Standing Committee on Resource Conservation and Recovery.

18-01264

English

5p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

References; Tables

Life cycle analysis; Paving materials; Standardization

Environmental Product Declaration; Product Category Rules

Feedstock energy

Highways; Materials; Pavements

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-01264

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 10:19AM