As in previous ecoinvent 3 versions, six data packs generated by the ecoinvent Centre from the undefined ecoinvent database are provided containing the three different system models, all as unit and aggregated (system) processes:
- Allocation, allocation at the point of substitution2 (unit and system3 processes)
- Allocation, cut-off by classification (unit and system processes)
- Consequential long-term (unit and system processes)
In addition, access to older versions of the ecoinvent database is also provided when purchasing ecoinvent v.3.4 in openLCA Nexus.
All the different data packs can be used as independent databases in openLCA or combined together, if necessary4. Moreover, a combined package for unit and system processes with LCIA method pack is available as well.
Ecoinvent v.3.4 is implemented for openLCA 1.6.3. As with the previous release of ecoinvent in openLCA, the number of product flows is reduced since openLCA allows the same product to appear several times in input or output of a process data set. Consequently, there is only one product flow needed for electricity (of a certain voltage) for example. With the providing process.