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Technical System
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Name |
Scalable inverter unit, electric motor controller, IGBT transistors, for EVs
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Functional Unit |
1 inverter unit (piece) for electric motor control
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Functional Unit Explanation |
The inverter unit is scalable and specified by its output power (20-200 kW) and input DC system voltage (250-700 V).
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Process Type |
Gate to gate
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Site |
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Sector |
Machinery and equipment
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Owner |
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Technical system description |
The dataset consists of a general and scalable LCI data model for an inverter unit designed for electric vehicle motor control. It provides the mass composition and manufacturing data for a typical automotive inverter unit design containing IGBT transistors, as delivered at the factory gate. The model file generates data on inverter units ranging in power from 20-200 kW and DC system voltage from 250-700 V, i.e. from a small electric passenger vehicle up to, for example, an electrically propelled bus.
It is a gate-to-gate LCI, with inputs as delivered from various stages of material processing. All input and output flows have recommended matching output and input flows from LCI process datasets or elementary flows included in ecoinvent v 3. The LCI is possible to combine with input data for virgin raw materials as well as recycled materials.
Use (operation and maintenance) and end-of-life treatment is NOT included in the dataset.
Adjustable model parameters:
* Nominal power (kW), output on AC side
* Nominal DC system voltage (V), input on DC side, typically from a battery
* Selection of cooling method/type of heatsink: air cooling (up to 50 kW) or liquid cooling (complete range)
* Inclusion/exclusion of parts with large design variability: casing (including integrated HV connectors) and laminated bus bar.
Input flows:
* Products flows, as "product material input" (materials and subparts) and "processing input" (input to production, but not a part of the final product).
* Energy use in production
Output flows:
* Product flow: 1 piece of inverter / electric motor controller
* Waste - typically metal scrap, sludge or used process liquids
* Emissions to air and water
The model has been setup with a regular system boundary and an extended system boundary. The regular boundary encircles the inventoried gate-to-gate system. The latter encircles a set of ecoinvent activities for material transformation, coating and assembly included to account for the making of several subparts from their material constituents. These activities are listed separately from the inventory defined by the regular system boundaries, to avoid confusion for the user, see the model report.
The model file presents an aggregated inventory list (and an aggregated activity list, see above) on the summary page, as well as all flows in and out of each unit process (including all internal flows of the gate-gate system). Extended system activities are also presented both aggregated (in a list on the summary page) and individually for each related flow.
For a full description on the methodology, theory and data processing that has led to the inventory details presented in the model file, please read the model report.
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System Boundaries
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Nature Boundary |
See model report
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Time Boundary |
See model report
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Geographical
Boundary |
See model report
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Other Boundaries |
See model report
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Allocations |
See model report
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Systems Expansions |
See model report
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About Inventory
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Publication |
Nordelöf, A. (2018) Scalable Power Electronic Inverter LCI model.xlsm. Version 1.01. Gothenburg, Sweden: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS; CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY.
Available: Scalable_Power_Electronic_Inverter_LCI Model_v1.01.xlsm
Model report:
Nordelöf, A. & Alatalo, M. (2018). A Scalable Life Cycle Inventory of an Automotive Power Electronic Inverter Unit - Technical and Methodological Description, version 1.01. 2018, Gothenburg, Sweden: Divisions of Environmental Systems Analysis & Electric Power Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology.
ESA report no. 2016:5 (1.01).
Available: LCI model report inverter unit v1.01 Final.pdf
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Intended User |
See model report
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General Purpose |
See model report
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Detailed Purpose |
See model report
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Commissioner |
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Practitioner |
Anders Nordelöf - Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers University of Technology.
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Reviewer |
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Applicability |
See model report
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About Data |
See model report
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Notes |
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