Using Network Analysis for Use Phase Allocations in LCA Studies of Automation Technology Components

Abstract

This article discusses the consideration of the use phase of automation technology components (ATCs) in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It aims to contribute to the LCA methodology by exploring a relevance-based allocation method for assessing ATCs and pneumatic components respectively. Although the environmental impact of ATCs in the use phase is rather insignificant when analyzed as a single component, its interaction with other components within an application implies further leverages to the impact caused by the system in the use phase. The social network analysis is an interdisciplinary method that is used in empirical social research and well likely to close the gap between micro level and macro level. This article transfers the social method to automation technology components aiming at estimating the specific contribution of each component to the overall system impact in the use stage.