Life-Cycle Inventory Database
Read about the plan to achieve the goals of the LCI Database Project in the U.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database Roadmap (PDF 1.3 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
The U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory Database provides data related to the total energy and resource impacts of producing a material, component, or assembly. On this page, you will find a description of the database, its uses and benefits, and key documents.
Introduction to the Database
The U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) Database helps life-cycle assessment experts determine the environmental impacts of an item over its entire life. Information is collected about commonly used materials, products, and processes from natural gas (combusted in an industrial boiler) to automotive painting (pretreatment). The data account for the total energy and material flows associated with an item.
The LCI Database was developed and is maintained by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) along with other partners. Visit the NREL Web site to:
- Learn more About the LCI Database Project.
- Read about the LCI Database data modules and register to access the database.
Uses of Life-Cycle Inventory Data
LCI data are used to develop product life-cycle assessments (LCAs), support systems, and LCA tools. LCAs help manufacturers, building designers, and developers select materials for projects that have the lowest life-cycle environmental impact. This analysis increases the use of more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly materials, processes, and products. Learn more about life-cycle assessments on the NREL Web site.
The LCI Database also helps rating systems, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ and Green Globes, determine the environmental impacts of a material or product during manufacture, use, and disposal.
Benefits of Life-Cycle Inventory Data
The LCI Database is easily accessible to the public and is a central source of critically reviewed, consistent, and transparent data. It allows users to objectively review and compare analysis results that are based on similar data collection and analysis methods. This common set of data, based on a single protocol, improves the quality and consistency of LCAs and makes them easier to perform.
For more about the LCI protocol and database, see:
- LCI Database on the NREL Web site
- U.S. LCI Database Project Development Guidelines (MS Word 414 KB).
- U.S. LCI Database Project - User's Guide (PDF 688 KB). Download Adobe Reader.