Two LCA tools for easy calculations in excel for designers, architects and business managers
The issue
Fast Track LCA calculations on carbon footprint and/or eco-costs, making use of the Idemat look-up tables, are quite simple to use for everybody who has some experience in excel. The way such a calculation can be structured is explained in the Innomat course. Although this approach in excel offers a maximum of flexibility and transparency (students do not like “black box tools” with advanced databases, that are not fully transparent). Students like to have a “tool” that combines quick results (i.e. quick graphical presentations of data), excel transparency, and a maximum of flexibility.
Such an excel tool has been designed by Jeremy Faludi of the Delft University of Technology, to be applied in design electives and workshops, where maximum result is to be achieved in a minimum of time.
Another tool has been developed by The Footprinters for designers that want to select the best design option, see Footprintcalc.
The first tool is presented here for a simplified case (a Volvo C40 Recharge electrical car), which can easily be changed by replacing the Bulk of Materials and the required energy, with easy links to the Idemat datasheet.
The step by step instruction Guide shows how to get started, by deleting the links, and building a new spreadsheet for the Volvo C40 Recharge (or, if you want another case).
The tool and the guide for help
Press the button to download the empty Excel Tool, the Tool filled with the Volvo example, and the short the Step by step Guide:
You will experience that you can make maximum use of the standard excel functions to minimize your work.
Note: It is possible to insert lines in the worksheet, however, do not forget then to update the table in column Y through AJ.
See instantly the results of your input
To calculate the eco-costs, you link the cell in column C (see adjacent Figure) to the Idemat name in de Idemat tab, and copy/paste column C to column D.
To calculate the carbonfootprint, copy paste the worksheet in total to a new tab, and change all ‘!G’ in ‘!L’ (by doing so you replace all eco-costs scores with carbon footprint scores).
Leave out items that have less impact than 2%. 
Quick learnings from the Volvo example:
– replace the NMC by LFP batteries
– increase the use of Aluminum to compensate for the higher weight of the LFP batteries
– apply recycled Aluminum in stead of the market mix
– drive in another country (with another carbon content of electricity from the grid), or with electricity from PV cells at home
Other examples of quick LCA calculations by this Excel Tool
Refrigerator , Fridge freezer combination, 350 liters, 84.6 kg, EU energy label C, 163 kWh/year
Sportswear, 1 kg, blend 40% cotton, 40% viscose, 20% Sorona (elastane), made in China, used in Europe (50 washes, label B kg washing machine: 220 washes per year of 8 kg, 120 kWh)
