Validation of the use of input-output data for embodied energy analysis of the Australian construction industry

This paper evaluates a recently developed hybrid method for the embodied energy analysis of the Australian construction industry. It was found that the truncation associated with process analysis can be up to 80%, whilst the use of input-output analysis alone does not always provide a perfect model for replacing process data. There is also a considerable lack in the quantity and possibly quality of process data currently available. These findings suggest that current best-practice methods are sufficiently accurate for most typical applications, but this is heavily dependant upon data quality and availability. The hybrid method evaluated can be used for the optimisation of embodied energy and for identifying opportunities for improvements in energy efficiency.

[1]  G. Treloar,et al.  Life-cycle energy analysis of buildings: a case study , 2000 .

[2]  Graham J. Treloar,et al.  Comprehensive embodied energy analysis framework , 1998 .

[3]  Manfred Lenzen,et al.  Differential Convergence of Life‐Cycle Inventories toward Upstream Production Layers , 2002 .

[4]  G. Treloar.  Extracting Embodied Energy Paths from Input–Output Tables: Towards an Input–Output-based Hybrid Energy Analysis Method , 1997 .

[5]  Stephen Pullen,et al.  Energy used in the Construction and Operation of Houses , 2000 .

[6]  Clark W. Bullard,et al.  Net energy analysis : handbook for combining process and input-output analysis , 1976 .

[7]  Mark Roger Fay.  Comparative life cycle energy studies of typical Australian suburban dwellings , 1999 .

[8]  Manfred Lenzen,et al.  GREENHOUSE GAS ANALYSIS OF SOLAR-THERMAL ELECTRICITY GENERATION , 1999 .

[9]  Manfred Lenzen,et al.  Truncation error in embodied energy analyses of basic iron and steel products , 2000 .

[10]  Morgan Bazilian,et al.  A net energy analysis of cogeneration with building integrated photovoltaic systems (BiPVs) , 2002 .

[11]  C. Hendrickson,et al.  Using input-output analysis to estimate economy-wide discharges , 1995 .

[12]  K. Adalberth,et al.  Energy use during the life cycle of single-unit dwellings: Examples , 1997 .

[13]  P.C.F. Bekker,et al.  A life-cycle approach in building , 1982 .

[14]  Manfred Lenzen,et al.  Errors in Conventional and Input‐Output—based Life—Cycle Inventories , 2000 .

[15]  Peter E.D. Love,et al.  Using national input/output data for embodied energy analysis of individual residential buildings , 2001 .