CO2 Emissions of Elevator Modernization : Life Cycle Assessment
Haavisto, Antti (2022)
2022
Konetekniikan DI-ohjelma - Master's Programme in Mechanical Engineering
Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2022-11-15
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202210257809
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202210257809
Tiivistelmä
The role of environmental sustainability is increasing in the European market and the building industry is expected to expand the scope of the emissions calculations. The Finnish elevator manufacturer KONE Oyj wanted to study the CO2 emissions of modernizations to provide more precise information to their customers. The modernizations have been previously neglected in related studies. An extensive investigation of the role of emissions in modernization decisions hasn’t previously been made.
In the thesis, a model was constructed based on the results of previous life cycle assessments to simulate the cumulative CO2 emissions of modernizations. The purpose of the model is to evaluate the CO2 emissions of different modernization options for a predetermined time frame. Based on the results, the option producing the least emissions can be chosen.
The time remaining after the modernization is the decisive factor when comparing the total emissions of the modernization solutions. The matter was addressed by adding the effects of the building demolitions to the model. Probabilities of demolitions for buildings of different construction years were calculated based on the demolition statistics in Tampere during the time period from 2000 to 2018. The demolition rates were calculated separately for both residential and commercial buildings.
The relevance of emissions in modernization decisions was investigated through the results of previous studies and an interview study. Representatives of two real estate companies were interviewed to fill the gaps in the previous research. The role of national and European legislation was examined through current legislation, previous initiatives, and results of previous research.
The LCA-model constructed in the thesis was used to compare modernization options in two typical cases in Tampere. Two simulations with variating assumptions were made for both cases. The modernization option producing the least emissions depended on the point of examination. Based on the results of the model, the option can be chosen if the time of the building demolition is known. If the time of demolition is unknown, the probabilities can be used to compare the modernization options. When the demolitions were used, the option to fully replace the elevator immediately was the best option, considering total CO2 emissions.
Based on the results of previous research and the interviews, the effect of CO2 emissions on modernization decisions is secondary. If the elevators would be included in the scope of the emissions calculation standards, the role of emissions in decision-making would increase. For now, the elevators are not included in the sustainability legislation of the EU.
The model constructed in the thesis could be applied to different modernization cases by changing the values of the parameters. The results of this study, however, are only applicable in a predetermined situation. The model could be expanded to include other measures such as energy consumption and costs
Extensive data on elevators and buildings are collected during mandatory pre-fixed inspections. The information is not publicly available. A background study of the state of the elevator stock would be very helpful in relative studies. The information would also enable the examination of the effects on a bigger scale instead of individual cases.
In the thesis, a model was constructed based on the results of previous life cycle assessments to simulate the cumulative CO2 emissions of modernizations. The purpose of the model is to evaluate the CO2 emissions of different modernization options for a predetermined time frame. Based on the results, the option producing the least emissions can be chosen.
The time remaining after the modernization is the decisive factor when comparing the total emissions of the modernization solutions. The matter was addressed by adding the effects of the building demolitions to the model. Probabilities of demolitions for buildings of different construction years were calculated based on the demolition statistics in Tampere during the time period from 2000 to 2018. The demolition rates were calculated separately for both residential and commercial buildings.
The relevance of emissions in modernization decisions was investigated through the results of previous studies and an interview study. Representatives of two real estate companies were interviewed to fill the gaps in the previous research. The role of national and European legislation was examined through current legislation, previous initiatives, and results of previous research.
The LCA-model constructed in the thesis was used to compare modernization options in two typical cases in Tampere. Two simulations with variating assumptions were made for both cases. The modernization option producing the least emissions depended on the point of examination. Based on the results of the model, the option can be chosen if the time of the building demolition is known. If the time of demolition is unknown, the probabilities can be used to compare the modernization options. When the demolitions were used, the option to fully replace the elevator immediately was the best option, considering total CO2 emissions.
Based on the results of previous research and the interviews, the effect of CO2 emissions on modernization decisions is secondary. If the elevators would be included in the scope of the emissions calculation standards, the role of emissions in decision-making would increase. For now, the elevators are not included in the sustainability legislation of the EU.
The model constructed in the thesis could be applied to different modernization cases by changing the values of the parameters. The results of this study, however, are only applicable in a predetermined situation. The model could be expanded to include other measures such as energy consumption and costs
Extensive data on elevators and buildings are collected during mandatory pre-fixed inspections. The information is not publicly available. A background study of the state of the elevator stock would be very helpful in relative studies. The information would also enable the examination of the effects on a bigger scale instead of individual cases.