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Environmental assessment of tourism and holidays
ESU-services has investigated the Environmental impacts of holiday scenarios in Switzerland and abroad in a recent study commissioned by the WWF Switzerland. Results have been published in a press released dated 2nd July, 2010 by the WWF and taken up by several media (Google search for articles).
ESU-services is sponsoring the discussion forum 2010
The LCA discussion forum is an exchange platform for scientists, consultants and users in the field of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). There are three LCA discussion forums per year, which discuss new results from research, problems and experiences with the application of LCA.
New Swiss and Austrian SimaPro customers interested in attending the discussion forum may profit from special conditions.
LCA of electric and hybrid cars
Frischknecht R., M. Leuenberger, 2009, Elektroauto: Königsweg oder Sackgasse; Fragen und Antworten der Ökobilanz von Elektroautos, Presentation prepared for the working committee Environment of Daimler AG, June 29, 2009, Sindelfingen
LCA of BTL-fuels
BTL-fuels (biomas-to-liquid) are an interesting option for future biofuel production. ESU-services has investigated several production routes from short-rotation wood, straw and miscanthus in a peer reviewed LCA. The study aims to compare the different production routes and types of biomass. The data of this study are documented electronically and in full transparency. The data have been used in a follow up study including the use phase and for comparison with fossil fuels.
Swiss ecological scarcity method
The update of the Swiss ecological scarcity method (Umweltbelastungspunkte 2006) is now finalized. With the help of the project management and experts from the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), we were able to substantially improve the applicability and flexibility of the methodological concept and to update the impact factors to the actual state of the environment and environmental legislation. Furthermore, the method has been extended with some additional key environmental impacts. Further information .... 31.01.2008
ecoinvent v2.0 published
ESU-services investigates about 900 our of 4000 life cycle inventories in the frame of the ETH Domain project ecoinvent v2.0. With this we are one of the most important contributors for this database. The following themes are covered by ESU-services:
- Bioenergy and biofuels
- Photovoltaics. Update and extension for amorphous silicon, thin film cells (CIS and CdTe), 25 photvoltaic electricity mixes, balance of system components, fine chemicals.
- Investigation of different processes of mechanical engineering
- Electricity mixes
- Metals
- Chemicals
- Crude oil
- Natural gas
- Solar collectors
3.12.2007
LCA of biofuels used in Switzerland
The environmental impacts of different types of biofuels used in Switzerland have been compared in a detailed life cycle assessment. This study is now published on the homepage of the Swiss authority of energy. This study forms an important scientific input for the political decission on tax regulations for biofuels. ESU-services was responisble for the whole project managment. 22.05.2007
| Projectoverview | Link to Study |
LCA of two menus
Roland Steiner, ESU-services calculated the energy demand of two similar menus for a TV report. The only difference of the menus is the origin of ingredients. Once they come from Switzerland, for the other menu they are all imported. Watch this film "Weitgereiste Lebensmittel: Essen mit Beigeschmack. Kassensturz", Swiss TV SF1, 20.03.2007, 21h. Further information on LCA studies of food products can be found in several of our publications and in other media reports. 20.03.2007
LCA for tap water and mineral water
The SVGW won the award for the best popular presentation of water science in 2006 by the IWA. An article has been published about the comparison of tap water and mineral water. Jungbluth, N. 2006: "Vergleich der Umweltbelastungen von Hahnenwasser und Mineralwasser." In Gas, Wasser, Abwasser Vol. 2006 (3): 215-219. A translation to English and French is now available. The LCA about tap water and mineral water is tackled in the consumer TV programme of the Kassensturz. 23.11.2006
