Why some flows in EF3.1 database don't have corresponding providers

Question

Hello, I'm trying to use EF3.1 database to do battery LCA study. But for most partly aggregated datasets, the electricity  flows can not find any providers, also the same as thermal energy and transportation flows. So, should I create new processes for these flows by myself to link providers?

Looking forward to your answer, May.

Comments

Could you please name the relevant processes? There are indeed some issues arising from the data providers, we raised that point already. However, some of the process might be services processes which are modelled without a specific material
Hope this helps

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For example, the process name: Nickel sulphate production, production mix, at plant, technology mix, 100% active substance. I found all electricity, thermal and transport flows don't have any relevant providers.

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(there is either one or several providers or no provider, an "irrelevant provider" does not exist ;))

Answer 1

Yes, the EF database is not perfect, you should indeed try to complete your LCA model by adding processes for these flows, or link to providers.

Answer 2

Hi, thanks for your input. I just checked the unit process "Nickel sulphate production, production mix, at plant, technology mix, 100% active substance".  Each flow has providers. Moreoverm I noted that there are often multiple providers listed as "connectors".  Unfortunately, you need to manually identify the correct provider to connect to.

Due to this issue which originates from the EF data providers we generally do not recommend using unit processes. Instead, please use the respective system process (ID: 3b369ae8-1f45-47ed-8dcf-af5f71593067) to ensure data consistency and accuracy.

You’re still free to use the unit process, but if you do, please make sure to cross-check the resulting impacts against those of the system process once all providers are connected.