overview
Since 2017, the USLCI Database is a repository on the Federal LCA Commons Collaboration Server National_Renewable_Energy_Laboratory group. The Collaboration Server platform has been developed through a cooperative agreement with Green Delta and the USDA National Agricultural Library (NAL) to provide a common access point for LCA data under the Federal LCA Commons coordinated activities. This repository and version control software allows distributed workgroups to develop, share, and publish LCA data using an open-source LCA software format.
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For video guidance on accessing, navigating, versioning, using, and submitting data to the USLCI Database (and more), please see the USLCI Quick Help Video Series on NREL's Learning YouTube channel.
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NREL is collaborating with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Energy Technology Library (NETL), the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the US Forest Service (USFS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) to develop a US Federal LCA Data Commons. This ongoing effort endeavors to provide improved and coordinated access to Federal LCA data.
The Federal LCA Commons' primary mission is to leverage multi-agency resources and pool the available LCA expertise among Federal agencies that collect, compile, and provide public access to data and information that adds value to life cycle assessors in an effective manner.
Using this new platform, LCI data may be imported directly into your local openLCA software. For practical guidance on accessing, navigating, and using as well as publishing to the USLCI Database, please see the USLCI Data Submission Handbook and the [USLCI Quick Help Video Series] on the NREL Learning YouTube channel.
The data curation process is collaborative and iterative. Upon submission of your data, the USLCI Data Curator conducts an internal review of your dataset to verify compliance with adherence to specific data documentation, formatting, and nomenclature requirements. Upon the culmination of the internal review, the Data Curator will collaborate with you to reconcile issues identified in the internal dataset documentation review (i.e., metadata review). It is requested that you use the openLCA software through these steps. Though the curation process does not include a technical review of the inventory data, the aforementioned verifications ensure lossless loading of data and accurate representation in the repository.
Details about the data submission process available in the US LCI Data Submission Guidelines and and the [USLCI Quick Help Video Series] on the NREL Learning YouTube channel. The Overview of the Digital Curation Process section of the Handbook lists steps for curation. Before submitting data, it is important to review the Data Provider’s Content License Agreement (“Agreement”).
There is no cost to data providers aside from their own time and involvement. The publication process can take from weeks to months depending on the size and number of datasets as well as your level of involvement during iterative communications. The US LCI is updated on a quarterly basis (i.e., March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31).
NOTE: Each quarter, the USLCI Database is updated to publish new and updated processes and you can view the details in the USLCI Change Log and watch the USLCI Press Releases for new content each quarter. Please note that these resources and the overall USLCI Support Content, are living documents that are being updated as the Federal LCA Commons data submission process evolves.
This collective access point also means that, while the breadth of LCA data is much greater, the method for accessing USLCI data has changed significantly. Many accustomed to the older platform will find the following approach helpful.
Access USLCI data on the Collaboration Server by selecting it under the "National_Renewable_Energy_Laboratory" Group Repository on the right side of the Federal LCA Commons landing page.
You may filter the USLCI data in many ways on this new platform. You may then use the "Search" feature once you have filtered the USLCI data and only the USLCI results will be presented. However, if you are accustomed to the old platform, the most expedient way to browse for and/or download specific USLCI data on the new platform is to filter by "Categories" via the "Processes" list.
Of course, the "Search" feature is also available on the Federal LCA Commons landing page and you will likely find it useful to also explore the additional repository data that are now available.
We welcome feedback and questions regarding the USLCI Database & Support Content. Please contact the USLCI Data Curator or the USLCI Webmaster with any concerns, questions, and/or to coordinate submitting data to the USLCI Database.