Reference product: electricity, high voltage [kWh]
Location: CH - Switzerland
This dataset represents the production of heat and electricity with wood chips in a co-generation plant with a capacity of 2000 kW (referring to fuel input) in Switzerland. Net capacities (referring to energy output): 1000 kW thermal and 200 kW electric. The technology corresponds to the average installed in 2014 in Switzerland. It is assumed that the plant is operated mainly producing heat, i.e. following the heat demand. Heat is considered as the main product and therefore the reference product, whereas electricity is a by-product. Electricity is produced with an organic rankine cycle (ORC) steam generator. Emission data in this dataset are taken from measurements and literature as well as from communication with experts.

CO2 emissions were calculated out of the carbon content of the wood used as combustible. Carbon emitted in carbon monoxide was subtracted from the result.
Key emissions factors for CO, NOx, CH4, NMVOC and particles were updated according to latest data.

All other emission factors (per MJ fuel input) correspond to the 1000 kW boiler fuelled with wood chips from forest. Other exchanges correspond to the LCI data for the 1400 kW co-generation unit in ecoinvent v2.2.

Wood chips from forest are used as fuel; these are assumed to be stored before combustion for a proper period in a silo in order to achieve an appropriate level of humidity for combustion. No external heat input for drying required.

[The full documentation of this dataset was originally provided in the corresponding ecoinvent report from the Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories, which is accessible for free to guests and users of ecoinvent version 2 (https://www.ecoinvent.org/login-databases.html). The dataset may subsequently have been subjected to central changes to the database, as described in the respective change report for each new release.]
[This dataset has been generated using the system model "Allocation, cut-off by classification". A system model describes how activity datasets are linked to form product systems. The allocation cut-off system model subdivides multi-product activities by allocation, based on a physical properties, economic, mass or other properties. By-products of waste treatment processes are cut-off, as are all by-products classified as recyclable. Markets in this model include all activities in proportion to their current production volume.
Version 3 of the ecoinvent database offers three system models to choose from. For more information, please visit: https://www.ecoinvent.org/database/system-models-in-ecoinvent-3/system-…)]