eToolLCD users can now calculate the operational impact of their projects considering the future decarbonisation of electricity grids. Custom grids can only be created by eToolLCD admin users at this stage, but once they are made public they will be available to all users when defining site attributes at project level:
eTool can create grid decarbonisation scenarios by adjusting the impact coefficient discount rate percentage and discount rate start year. Grid details include reference sources for discount factors and assumptions. One example is the grid: UK Rail Electricity – Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). Login to eToolLCD or create a new account to find out more. Please reach out if you need any specific future grid scenario to be created for your project.
Decarbonisation factor is applied only to modules B6 and D. Electricity grid only initially, gas and water can be developed later using the same methodology. Decarbonisation of modules B1-5 (use, repair, maintenance, replacement, refurbishment) or module C end of life are not considered at this stage.
Compliance with UK RICS guidance – Whole of Life Carbon Assessment for the built environment:
EN 15978 and EN 15804 suggest that current practices shall apply to any future projections and do not allow for decarbonisation in the calculations of life cycle environmental impacts in an effort to limit the uncertainty factors influencing the results of the assessments. To enable consistency with current standards, applying decarbonisation is not a mandatory requirement in carbon calculations. It is, however, important to provide a realistic estimate of the whole life carbon emissions of a project by considering future decarbonisation. This may prompt stakeholders to think more broadly about the actual life cycle impacts of built projects. Therefore, decarbonised figures should also be reported alongside the non decarbonised ones.
According to the RICS guidance, the decarbonisation factors are also applicable to operational emissions B7 operational water (supply and treatment), as well as to any recurring embodied carbon impacts over the life cycle of the project for maintenance, repair, replacement & refurbishment – stages [B2–B5], to account for the anticipated decarbonisation of the manufacturing industry. eToolLCD decarbonisation factor applies to electricity and covers module B6 and D initially.
Please refer to the RICS guidance document for further details on how future energy carbon intensity should be determined.
