From Detailed LCA to Simplified Model: an Oriented Decision Makers Approach to Assess Energy Pathways

Abstract : Literature reviews of energy pathways have shown a large variability of the environmental impacts over their systems. This leads decision/policy makers to sometimes consider LCA as inconclusive. We developed a methodology to assess environmental impacts of energy pathways through a simplified model: a parametric model elaborated with key parameters explaining most of the pathway variability. It is derived from the definition of a reference model enabling to calculate environmental impacts of a large sample of representative systems of energy pathways. Identification of key parameters is done using Global Sensitivity Analysis and Sobol indices. Illustration of such approach is done by defining a simplified model for assessing the GHG performance of photovoltaic electricity produced with Cadmium Telluride modules in France.