Pre-publication: Transition from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0 for the use of the Fuel Life Cycle Assessment Model Database

Date: February 15, 2024

1. Purpose

The purpose of this pre-publication is to inform stakeholders that the next version of the Fuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Model (the Model) Database, planned in June 2024, will require the use of the software openLCA 2.0 or higher. This pre-publication describes the impacts of the transition from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0 or higher for users of the Model.

Pre-publications are not to be used for compliance with the Clean Fuel Regulations, or other programs or regulations, unless otherwise specified.

This pre-publication includes this descriptive document and an openLCA module. The module is a copy of the January 2023 Database converted to the openLCA 2.0 format. This module does not contain any updates presented in previous pre-publications.

2. Description of the impacts of the transition to openLCA 2.0

Databases developed in openLCA 2.0 are incompatible with older versions of the software (versions 1.11 and lower). Since the next formal version of the Model will be developed in openLCA 2.0, users of the Model will need to download and install version 2.0 or higher of openLCA to use the June 2024 Model Database.

It should be noted that openLCA 2.0 is backwards compatible with older databases developed in previous versions of the software. This means that all versions of the Model Database can be imported into openLCA 2.0 without any loss of functionality or changes to calculations or carbon intensities (CIs). However, once a database is imported into openLCA 2.0, it cannot be opened or imported back into openLCA 1.11.

Users can have both openLCA 1.11 and 2.0 installed on their computer at the same time. There will be minor differences between the two versions of the software, which are described in the following sub-sections.

2.1 How to convert an existing Fuel LCA Model Database to openLCA 2.0

To convert an existing database format from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0, follow the steps in one of the two methods below. Note that this process is irreversible. Once it has been converted it cannot be re-opened in openLCA 1.11. Instructions are included in each method for backing up a copy of the openLCA 1.11 format of the database.

2.1.1 Method 1

1. Open openLCA 1.11.
2. Right-click the database you wish to copy.
3. Click “Copy”.
4. Enter the name for the copy and click “OK”.
5. Close openLCA 1.11.
6. Open openLCA 2.0.
7. Double-click the database that was made in openLCA 1.11.
8. A dialog box will open that says “The selected database needs an update. Do you want to run it?”.
   1. Uncheck the box that says, “Create a backup of the current database first”.
   2. Click “OK” to convert the database.

2.1.2 Method 2

1. Open openLCA 2.0.
2. Double-click the database that was made in openLCA 1.11.
3. A dialog box will open that says “The selected database needs an update. Do you want to run it?”.
   1. Make sure that the box that says, “Create a backup of the current database first” is checked.
   2. Click “OK”.
4. A dialog box will open for the creation of the backup .zolca file.
5. Enter a new name for the backup of the database in the openLCA 1.11 format.
6. Click “Save”.
   With Method 2, the software will create the backup of the database, convert the database to the openLCA 2.0 format, and then open the openLCA 2.0 database. It should be noted that the backup of the database in the openLCA 1.11 format is not saved in openLCA. To reopen the database in openLCA 1.11, follow the steps below.
7. Open openLCA 1.11.
8. Click “Database” at the taskbar at the top left of the screen.
9. Click “Restore database”.
10. Click on the backed up database from steps 1-6 and click “Open”.
11. The backed up database is now ready for use in openLCA 1.11.

2.2 Update to dialog boxes in certain openLCA 2.0 menus

New dialog boxes in openLCA 2.0 have resulted in a slightly different organization of certain information when performing certain tasks. The main changes are listed below. Note that this is not an exhaustive list^{Footnote 1} .

2.2.1 Importing a database

When importing a database, the zip file can now be selected directly instead of first choosing the file type and then directory. The options for import are now available in the dialog box, instead of being available in the next window. The new steps to import a database are described below.

1. Right-click the name of your opened database and click “Import” and then “file”.
2. Select the database (zip file) you wish to import and click “Open”.
3. Choose your desired import method and click “Finish”.

2.2.2 Default allocation factors

When calculating the default allocation factors in openLCA 2.0 (physical allocation), after clicking the button “Calculate factors” a new dialog box opens. It provides a new option to choose the unit type for the allocation (e.g. mass, energy, etc.). When calculating default allocation factors, leave the options as they are and click “OK”.

2.2.3 Calculating a CI

The main steps for calculating a CI remain unchanged. However, the new version of openLCA allows for three calculation types: Lazy/On-demand, Eager/All, or Monte Carlo Simulation. When calculating CIs using the Model, users should use the Eager/All option.

2.3 Impact assessment methods and impact categories

The new version of openLCA separates the impact categories from the impact assessment methods. This has no direct impact on calculating CIs. The impact factors for the International Panel on Climate Change 5th Assessment Report values are now be found in the impact categories folder. The impact assessment method is still used to calculate CIs.

2.4 Environmental product declaration (EPD) and results folders

The new version of openLCA contains two new system folders: EPD and Results. Neither of these folders will be used in the June 2024 Model Database.

3. Description of the module and instructions on how to upload it into openLCA 2.0

The module contains the January 2023 Model Database converted to the openLCA 2.0 format.  It should be noted that none of the updates presented in other pre-publications are incorporated in the module.

The module is available in the “2024.02 Transition from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0 for the use of the Fuel Life Cycle Assessment Model Database” folder of the ECCC Data Catalogue and must be imported into an empty database in the most recent version of openLCA 2.0.

To set up the module in openLCA 2.0 follow the steps below:

1. Open openLCA 2.0.
2. Click “Database” in the task bar at the top left of the screen.
3. Click “New database” and enter the database name. Choose “Empty database” for the Database content.
4. Click “Finish”.
5. Follow the import steps described in Section 2.2.1 of this document.

4. How to submit comments on this pre-publication

Stakeholders are invited to review this pre-publication and provide comments to ECCC within 30 days following the pre-publication at modeleacvcarburant-fuellcamodel@ec.gc.ca.

Please indicate the following in the subject line: Comments on the pre-publication: Transition from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0 for the use of the Fuel Life Cycle Assessment Model Database.

Comments submitted will be considered for the development of the next formal version of the Fuel LCA Model.

For any questions related to this pre-publication, please contact modeleacvcarburant-fuellcamodel@ec.gc.ca with the following subject line: Questions on the pre-publication: Transition from openLCA 1.11 to openLCA 2.0 for the use of the Fuel Life Cycle Assessment Model Database.