Impactv2.1.3 giving zero impacts when imported into USLCI database

Question

My students and I are using USLCI (current version). We are able to use TRACI successfully with the USLCI database, but are not having any luck with openLCA's LCIA Methods v.2.1.3. After importing v.2.1.3 (and v.2.1.2) and running product systems, all v.2.1.3 impacts are zero.

Upon looking at the LCIA Checks tab, none of the flows are covered.

Answer 1

If you use the latest version of USLCI from the Federal LCA Commons, you will also need methods adapted to the Federal Elementary Flow List (FEDEFL), to which the USLCI converted in 2019. The FEDEFL and the FEDEFL-adapted methods are available on the Federal LCA Commons for download and import, e.g., into your openLCA desktop application. 

It sounds as if you are having no problem with the Commons versions of the USLCI and TRACI. However, keep in mind that the GreenDelta Methods packs do not yet reflect the Commons adaptation of the FEDEFL so the method nomenclature in the Nexus Methods packs will not match the inventory nomenclature in the FEDEFL-adapted (i.e., current) USLCI. In other words, the GreenDelta methods packs are using the pre-FEDEFL nomenclature so they will only match pre-FEDEFL versions of the USLCI.

Please see the USLCI GitHub Support Content (https://github.com/uslci-admin/uslci-content/wiki) and/or the NREL USLCI Quick Help YouTube video series (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmIn8Hncs7bFUOyXZNGXwG4LtdoTfLz6Q) for details on USLCI Database versioning because if you do not correctly import the new USLCI version, you will not overwrite older versions; also, these videos have tips on: using FEDEFL-adapted methods and running calculations on USLCI in openLCA.

If you are using the Nexus-paid-for version of USLCI, you can manually implement relevant corrections to the USLCI inventory from the current USLCI Change Log into the Nexus paid-for verison until the updates become available from GreenDelta: https://github.com/uslci-admin/uslci-content/blob/dev/docs/release_info/change-log.md. This way, you can run the Nexus Methods packs on the paid-for USLCI Nexus version but with updated USLCI inventory.