Resource evaluation: energy

The utilisation of energy resources is usually illustrated in life cycle assessments on the basis of the cumulative energy demand (CED). In itself, this does not have a negative environmental effect (“adverse effect”). However, it presents an interesting indicator for the primary energy demand per functional unit of the life cycle assessment. In this way, it enhances the information about fossil and nuclear energy sources contained in the indicators for the cumulative raw material demand and climate change, and primarily serves to support and assess measures to increase energy efficiency in the process chain. Additional qualification of the use of energy resources can be achieved by specifying the type of energy resource involved (e.g. finite or infinite).

The efficient handling of energy is a critical objective in view of the fact that the lion’s share of energy is currently obtained from fossil energy resources.