1. Ashish Sharma
Macquarie University
Evaluating environmental impacts of alternative transport fuels
and power-train technologies via life cycle approach.
Presented by
Department of Environmental Science | Faculty of Science & Engineering
MRes SEMINAR (September 15, 2015)
(MRes candidate, under the supervision of Prof. Vladimir Strezov)

2. What is the potential of alternative fuels and advance vehicle
powertrains in solving the present day problems of energy crisis
and the climate change ?

3. 3
Research Objectives
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
The aim of this study is to conduct a holistic sustainability assessment of the
alternative fuels and powertrains in the transport sector and therefore, this study is
central to achieve following key research objectives –
1. To identify the gaps and variability in the existing studies.
2. To compare triple bottom line (TBL) impacts.
3. To identify which alternate fuel is best suited for mitigating criteria pollutants and
GHG emissions?
4. To quantify the environmental benefits and cost-efficiency of switching from
diesel fuel to alternate fuels.

4. 4
Introduction : Background (1)
Life cycle assessment (LCA) framework
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
Goal & Scope
definition
Inventory analysis
Impact
assessment
Interpretation
Direct applications
• Product development
• Strategic planning
• Public Policy making
• Marketing
Processes typically considered when
conducting an LCA for a product

5. 5
Introduction : Background (2)
Components of vehicle life cycle emissions – Fuel cycle & Vehicle cycle
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
Illustration
Life cycle assessment of vehicle emissions
Source : Wang, M., Wu, M., & Huo, H. (2007). Life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas
emission impacts of different corn ethanol plant types. Environmental Research Letters,
2(2), 024001
Well-To-Tank
Tanks-to-wheel

6. 6
Introduction : Literature Review (1)
Checklist for systematic literature review
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
Study (year)
LCA
included
Methodology used
Software’s / Instruments
used
Database used
Environmental
indicators
Sustainability
indicators
Petersen, Melamu et
al. 2015 √
Pinch point methodology;
Process modelling (Thermochemical
and biological) and Process
Environmental Assessments.
SimaPro and GREET 2.7 NA
√
X
Brondani, Hoffmann,
Mayer, & Kleinert,
2015
√ Energy efficiency analysis SimaPro
Eco-Indicator 99 assessment method.
√ X
Arpornpong et al.,
2015 √
Sensitivity analysis; The product
carbon footprint (CFP) methodology;
Combination of CML 2000, IPCC
2007, Eco indicator 99, and Recipe
methods.
SimaPro 7.1; GREET Model;
ReCiPe model;
Carnegie Mellon’s EIO-LCA
software
Ecoinvent (version 2.1); The Thai and
international LCI database (USLCI
2013); IPCCC 2006
√ X
Onat, Kucukvar et al.
2014
√
SWOT (Strengths , weaknesses,
opportunities, threats) analysis;
SMARt-CHP (small mobile
agricultural residue gasification unit
for decentralized;
The emissions were monitored by a
Horiba analyzer (NDIR –
Nondispersive Infrared Analyzer).
NA
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ; The
Global Footprint Network; Bureau of
Economic Analysis,
√
√
Manara and
Zabaniotou (2014)
X
SWOT (Strengths , weaknesses,
opportunities, threats) analysis.
SMARt-CHP; NDIR
(Nondispersive Infrared
Analyzer)
NA √ √
Santoyo-Castelazo
and Azapagic (2014)
√
Life cycle costing; Social
sustainability assessment; Multi-
criteria decision analysis; Scenario
analysis
NA Eco invent; GEMIS
√
√
Ning et al., 2013 √ Cost-benefit evaluation
GaBi & Chemical process
simulator Aspen Plus.
Eco-indicator 95 system
√
X
Study (year)
LCA
included
Methodology used
Software’s / Instruments
used
Database used
Environmental
indicators
Sustainability
indicators
Petersen, Melamu et
al. 2015 √
Pinch point methodology;
Process modelling (Thermochemical
and biological) and Process
Environmental Assessments.
SimaPro and GREET 2.7 NA
√
X
Brondani, Hoffmann,
Mayer, & Kleinert,
2015
√ Energy efficiency analysis SimaPro
Eco-Indicator 99 assessment method.
√ X
Arpornpong et al.,
2015 √
Sensitivity analysis; The product
carbon footprint (CFP) methodology;
Combination of CML 2000, IPCC
2007, Eco indicator 99, and Recipe
methods.
SimaPro 7.1; GREET Model;
ReCiPe model;
Carnegie Mellon’s EIO-LCA
software
Ecoinvent (version 2.1); The Thai and
international LCI database (USLCI
2013); IPCCC 2006
√ X
Onat, Kucukvar et al.
2014
√
SWOT (Strengths , weaknesses,
opportunities, threats) analysis;
SMARt-CHP (small mobile
agricultural residue gasification unit
for decentralized;
The emissions were monitored by a
Horiba analyzer (NDIR –
Nondispersive Infrared Analyzer).
NA
The Bureau of Labor Statistics ; The
Global Footprint Network; Bureau of
Economic Analysis,
√
√
Manara and
Zabaniotou (2014)
X
SWOT (Strengths , weaknesses,
opportunities, threats) analysis.
SMARt-CHP; NDIR
(Nondispersive Infrared
Analyzer)
NA √ √
Santoyo-Castelazo
and Azapagic (2014)
√
Life cycle costing; Social
sustainability assessment; Multi-
criteria decision analysis; Scenario
analysis
NA Eco invent; GEMIS
√
√
Ning et al., 2013 √ Cost-benefit evaluation
GaBi & Chemical process
simulator Aspen Plus.
Eco-indicator 95 system
√
X

7. 7
Introduction : Literature Review (2)
Sustainability indicators/ impact categories reported in previous studies
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
Environmental
• GHG emissions
• Global warming (GWP), abiotic
depletion (ADP), acidification
potential (AP), eutrophication
(EP), freshwater aquatic eco-
toxicity (FAETP), human toxicity
(HTP), ozone depletion (ODP),
photochemical ozone creation
(POCP) and terrestrial eco-
toxicity (TETP)
• Soil and water & air quality
• Biodiversity
• Impacts on land use (LU) and
natural depletion (water and
fossil).
Economic
• Capital costs
• Internal rate of return (IRR)
• Payback period (PBP)
• Gross profit
• Net profit
Social
• Economic and social
contribution to local
society
• Health and safety
• Education level
• Societal acceptance
• Employment generation
(Number of job
positions per unit
investment or unit area)

8. 8
Methodology (1)
Life cycle system boundaries of the present study
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
Life cycle system boundary
Integrated model for simulation of vehicle life cycle emissions

9. Methodology (2)
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
9
Indicator
Weighting
of the three
damage
categories
Damage to
resources
Inventory
Result Inventory
phase
Modelling
all
processes
in the life
cycle
Modelling
of the
effect and
damage
Damage to
ecosystem
quality
Resources
Damage to
human
resources
Land use
Emission
Core concept of Eco-Indicator 99 methodology
Eco
Indicator
value
CFC
PB
Cd
PAH
Dust
VOC
DDT
CO2
SO2
NOx
P
Ozone
depletion effect
Subjective
damage
assessment
EffectImpact
Fatalities
Health
impairments
Ecosystem
impairment
Damage
Acidification
Heavy metals
Greenhouse
effect
Carcinogens
Summer smog
Winter smog
Pesticides
Eutrophication
Valuation Result
Core concept of Eco-Indicator 95 methodology

10. Methodology (3)
Modelling Life cycle Impact assessment (LCIA) using SimaPro
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
10
Life cycle impact assessment
(LCIA)
Normalization
Defines the extent to which an impact category
contributes to the total environmental burden.
Life cycle impact
assessment (LCIA)
Classification
Defines the Impact categories and their
substances.
Characterization
The relative contribution of a LCI process flow
to the impact category result.
Weighting
Indicators are aggregated into a single score /
using weighting factors

11. Preliminary Results (1)
Fuel cycle (WTW) emissions of selected vehicle fuel systems
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
11
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Diesel Car
(Low sulfur diesel)
CNG Fuel-Cell Car
(CNG)
CIDI Vehicle
(FT Diesel Car)
CIDI Vehicle
(Biodiesel Blend Car)
Electric Car
(electricity)
Well-to-Tank(WTT) Tank-to-Wheel (TTW)
0
1
2
3
4
5
Diesel Car
(Low sulfur diesel)
CNG Fuel-Cell Car
(CNG)
CIDI Vehicle
(FT Diesel Car)
CIDI Vehicle
(Biodiesel Blend Car)
Electric Car
(electricity)
Well-to-Tank(WTT) Tank-to-Wheel (TTW)
Fuel cycle (WTW) PM10 emissions of selected vehicle fuel
systems in g/100 km.
Fuel cycle (WTW) PM2.5 emissions of selected vehicle fuel
systems in g/100 km.

12. Preliminary Results (2)
Vehicle life cycle emissions & energy use
Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
12
Note* vehicle class is pick-up trucks
Data source: Tong, Jaramillo, and Azevedo (2015)
Vehicle life cycle GHG emissions (expressed in units of
gram CO2-eq/km) for selected vehicle fuel systems. Total energy use in KJ/100 km by selected vehicle fuel systems.

13. Future Research : timeline of research activities (4 years of PhD.)
13
PhD Yr.1/MRes (Yr. 2)
Research activity (RA-1) Time
1. Preliminary literature review & data collection preparation. 3 months
(July, 2015 ~ September, 2015)
2. Methodology/Simulation using models. 2 months
(October ~ November)
3. Data Analysis & validation/comparison of results with existing studies. 2 months
(December, 2015 ~ January, 2016)
4. Writing first draft of MRes (Yr.2) thesis 1 months (February, 2016)
5. Writing final version of MRes (Yr.2) thesis/ research paper 1. 1 months (March, 2016)
6. Submission of MRes thesis. 1 month (April, 2016)
7. Revising MRes thesis for submission of first research paper to the journal
editors/reviewers.
1 month (May, 2016)
8. Break/vacation 1 month (June,2016)
PhD Yr.2 (RA-2)
Research activity Time
9. Submission of abstract for oral presentation at international conference. 1 month (August, 2016)
10. Presenting research to an international conference/publishing in conference
proceedings.
September, 2016
11. Training for using professional version of LCA models such as SimaPro/GaBi for
simulation.
1 months
(September, 2016)
12. Analysing data using LCA models to generate results for second international
conference proceedings.
2 months
(October , 2016 ~ mid-November,
2016)
13. Writing second chapter of thesis/preparing manuscript for research paper 2 as per the
previously defined research problem/abstract prepared in activity 8.
2 months
(mid-November , 2016 ~ January,
2017)
14. Submission of research paper to the journal editors/reviewers. 2 months
(February , 2017 ~ March, 2017)
15. Preparing abstract for second international conference 1 month (April, 2017)
16. Revising manuscript to adjust for reviewer’s comments. 1 month (mid-May, 2017)
17. Break/vacation 1 month (mid of May ~ June,2017)
PhD Yr.3
Research activity (RA-3) Time
Presenting research in department of environmental science at Macquarie University. 1month
(July , 2017)
18. Writing third chapter of thesis/preparing manuscript for research paper 2 as per
previously defined research problem/abstract submitted in activity 8.
2 months
(August, 2017 ~ September, 2017)
19. Presenting research to an international conference as per the conceptual research
framework discussed in abstract submitted in research activity 15.
1 month
(October, 2017)
20. Theoretical and conceptual framework for research paper 3. 1 month (November, 2017)
21. Methodology/Simulation using models. 2 months
(December, 2017~ January, 2018)
22. Validation/comparison of results with existing studies. 1 month (February, 2018)
23. Writing first chapter of thesis/research paper 3. 1 month (March, 2018)
24. Submission of research paper to the journal editors/reviewers. 2 months (April , 2018)
25. Break/vacation 1 month (mid of May ~ June,2018)
PhD Yr.4
Research activity (RA-4) Time
26. Submitting first draft of thesis to supervisor for review. 2 months
(July, 2018 ~ august, 2018)
27. Theoretical and conceptual framework for research paper 4. 1 month (November, 2018)
28. Methodology/Simulation using models. 2 months
(December, 2019 ~ January, 2019)
29. Validation/comparison of results with existing studies. 1 month (February, 2019)
30. Preparing manuscript of final chapter of PhD thesis and Compiling previous research
papers for submission of final version of PhD thesis supervisor.
1 month (March, 2019)
31. Submission of research paper as per designed methodology in research activity 28 to
the journal editors/reviewers.
2 months (May , 2019)

14. Department of Environmental Sciences Macquarie University
1. Bauer, C., Hofer, J., Althaus, H.-J., Del Duce, A., & Simons, A. (2015). The environmental performance of current and future passenger
vehicles: Life Cycle Assessment based on a novel scenario analysis framework. Applied Energy.
2. Connolly, D., Mathiesen, B. V., & Ridjan, I. (2014). A comparison between renewable transport fuels that can supplement or replace biofuels in
a 100% renewable energy system. Energy, 73, 110-125.
3. Dai, Q. (2014). Life Cycle Assessment of Natural Gas Utilization in Light-duty Passenger Vehicles. University of Michigan.
4. Haller, M., Welch, E., Lin, J., & Fulla, S. (2007). Economic costs and environmental impacts of alternative fuel vehicle fleets in local
government: An interim assessment of a voluntary ten-year fleet conversion plan. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and
Environment, 12(3), 219-230.
5. Hawkins, T. R., Gausen, O. M., & Strømman, A. H. (2012). Environmental impacts of hybrid and electric vehicles—a review. The International
Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 17(8), 997-1014.
6. Messagie, M., Boureima, F.-S., Coosemans, T., Macharis, C., & Van Mierlo, J. (2014). A Range-Based Vehicle Life Cycle Assessment
Incorporating Variability in the Environmental Assessment of Different Vehicle Technologies and Fuels. Energies, 7(3), 1467-1482.
doi:10.3390/en7031467.
7. Onat, N. C., Kucukvar, M., & Tatari, O. (2014). Towards life cycle sustainability assessment of alternative passenger vehicles. Sustainability,
6(12), 9305-9342.
8. Rose, L., Hussain, M., Ahmed, S., Malek, K., Costanzo, R., & Kjeang, E. (2013). A comparative life cycle assessment of diesel and
compressed natural gas powered refuse collection vehicles in a Canadian city. Energy Policy, 52, 453-461.
9. Santoyo-Castelazo, E., & Azapagic, A. (2014). Sustainability assessment of energy systems: integrating environmental, economic and social
aspects. Journal of Cleaner Production, 80, 119-138.
10. Scown, C. D., Horvath, A., & McKone, T. E. (2011). Water footprint of US transportation fuels. Environmental science & technology, 45(7),
2541-2553.
11. Shahraeeni, M., Ahmed, S., Malek, K., Van Drimmelen, B., & Kjeang, E. (2015). Life cycle emissions and cost of transportation systems: Case
study on diesel and natural gas for light duty trucks in municipal fleet operations. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 24, 26-34.
12. Tong, F., Jaramillo, P., & Azevedo, I. M. L. (2015). Comparison of Life Cycle Greenhouse Gases from Natural Gas Pathways for Medium and
Heavy-Duty Vehicles. Environmental science & technology, 49(12), 7123-7133. doi:10.1021/es5052759
13. Wang, H., Zhang, X., & Ouyang, M. (2015). Energy and environmental life-cycle assessment of passenger car electrification based on Beijing
driving patterns. Science China-Technological Sciences, 58(4), 659-668. doi:10.1007/s11431-015-5786-3
14. Wang, M., Wu, M., & Huo, H. (2007). Life-cycle energy and greenhouse gas emission impacts of different corn ethanol plant types.
Environmental Research Letters, 2(2), 024001.
15. Wu, M., Zhang, Z., & Chiu, Y.-w. (2014). Life-cycle water quantity and water quality implications of biofuels. Current Sustainable/Renewable
Energy Reports, 1(1), 3-10.
References
14

15. Thank you | Questions and comments