Reyn Joseph O'Born

• Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2026). What is a Circular Road? Defining Circularity for Road Infrastructure. Journal of Circular Economy. 4(1), p. 969–983. doi: 10.55845/joce-2026-41314. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Circular economy (CE) strategies in road infrastructure (RI) remain fragmented and predominantly material-centric, with limited integration of lifecycle governance, demand reduction, and ecological regeneration. While buildings have advanced circular practices, definitions, and guidelines, the road sector lacks a sector-specific definition that reflects its long lifetimes, spatial permanence, public ownership, and continuous maintenance cycles. This study combines a literature synthesis with a stakeholder workshop to identify conceptual and practical gaps in current CE applications for RI. Findings show a dominant focus on recycled materials and construction-phase emissions, while avoidance strategies, design reimagining, long-term traceability, and end-of-life restoration remain underdeveloped. The result of this research is to propose a working definition of circular RI grounded in lifecycle planning, functional adaptability, material stewardship, ecological regeneration, and network optimisation. The definition provides a conceptual foundation for developing indicators, procurement criteria, and governance frameworks that align material cycles, infrastructure performance and ecosystem outcomes.

• Katumwesigye, Anthony; Spohr, Jonas; Hellström, Magnus Mikael & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2026). An integrated life-cycle assessment of three different propulsion pathways for medium-sized wheel loaders under Nordic quarry conditions: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production. ISSN 0959-6526. 574. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.149020.
• Hennig, Martine Alexandra Andersen; Vetnes, Alexander Grødum; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Bohne, Rolf André (2026). Something to re-peat? Reusing peat in infrastructure projects for natural restoration - an LCA-approach. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES). ISSN 1755-1307. 1615(1). doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1615/1/012006. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In Norwegian road development, it is vital yet challenging to avoid construction in peatland, the most carbon rich terrestrial ecosystem. Draining and excavating peat releases greenhouse gases accumulated over millennia, reduces biodiversity, and diminishes flood regulation and climate resilience. When building on peatlands is unavoidable, compensation through peat reuse has become more common, yet the broader environmental consequences remain poorly understood. Using a generalized life cycle assessment (LCA) with a functional unit of 1 ha donor peatland, we evaluated two reuse options: (1) reconstructing artificial peatland (Con-peat, 1:1) and (2) restoring drained peatland by ditch-blocking (Re-peat, 1:X). Following IPCC guidelines and national inventory data, we calculated ditch-blocking ratios, avoided emissions over 100 years, and emissions from machinery. One hectare of donor peatland could restore 52.6 ha of drained peatland through ditch-blocking. The largest avoided emissions were observed for Re-peat in croplands (179 kt CO 2eq ha −1 ), pastures (136 kt CO 2eq ha −1 ), and forests (13 kt CO 2eq ha −1 ), compared to Con-peat (5 kt CO 2eq ha −1 ). Both approaches resulted in net unavoidable emissions of 674 t CO 2eq ha −1 , mainly from peat oxidation (80%) and machinery (20%). Our findings indicate that ditch-blocking should be prioritized for peat reuse, while constructing artificial peatlands may be appropriate when large volumes of peat are available, offering an alternative to landfilling. The study also revealed methodological gaps in LCA of ecosystem degradation and restoration. Future research should address these gaps by comparing multiple restoration scenarios and incorporating site-specific biodiversity and emissions data over time.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & Engelsen, Christian John (2026). Life cycle assessment of using silicomanganese slags as a binder replacement in concrete for road infrastructure. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES). ISSN 1755-1307. 1615, p. 1–10. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1615/1/012038. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Concrete is the most widely used construction material globally, and its production is a major contributor to global CO 2 emissions due to the energy-intensive processes involved in cement manufacturing. One the common strategies for reducing these CO 2 emissions of concrete production focus on partially replacing the Portland clinker with other binders made from waste by-products such as fly ash and blast furnace slag. However, as the global energy mix transitions away from coal power and the change in pig iron production, the availability of these by-products is declining, necessitating research into alternative low-emission or zero binders. The aim of the Norwegian research project Sustainable value chain and material use in road construction (BVM) is to find sustainable alternatives for materials used in construction. One such alternative with high potential for the Norwegian market is a product called Silica Greenstone (SiGS), which is a slag by-product from silico manganese production. Produced by Eramet, SiGS can be used as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. In the BVM project, laboratory testing was carried out using SiGS to replace 15-20% of the binder in B45/M40 Class A standard concrete. In this study, the material was applied in full scale pilot in parts of a concrete sound isolation wall in the E18 West corridor highway project in Oslo. The pilot demonstrated that SiGS exhibits comparable mechanical performance and durability to conventional concrete. It is also important to verify that the use of SiGS can reduce emissions in concrete. Therefore, this study used life cycle assessment to quantify the environmental impacts of concrete using SiGS compared to concrete with conventional binders. The results showed a notable reduction in CO2-emissions, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable binder alternative and can replace coal fly ash in an environmentally sound way. Furthermore, the results showed that SiGS represents a viable solution for infrastructure applications, reducing reliance on traditional cement-based materials and promoting sustainable construction practices.

• Brekke, Simon & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Life Cycle Assessment of Geopolymer Concrete Made with Tailings from Ilmenite Mining. In Kioumarsi, Mahdi & Shafei, Behrouz (Ed.), The 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices. Springer. ISSN 9783031696268. p. 821–829. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69626-8_69. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Global CO 2 emissions from cement production represent a major challenge on the path towards a future of net zero emissions. Concrete represents 5–8% of the total global CO 2 emissions while remaining a critical building material globally. It is imperative to find low-emissions solutions that can reduce the environmental impacts by finding new mixtures and binders for cement production, which are the main contributing factor for emissions from concrete. Alternative concrete binders are being developed, and one such binder is geopolymer cement. Geopolymer cement is made by mixing industrial wastes with an alkaline solution, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. This cement can be produced from waste can completely replace ordinary Portland cement in concrete. In Norway, the company Saferock is developing a new geopolymer cement which utilises mine tailings from ilmenite production combined with potassium hydroxide. In the region of Sokndal, Norway, more than 100 million of tons of easily accessible mine tailings are available for Saferock to use for producing geopolymer cement. The Saferock concrete is expected to reduce emissions compared to normal concrete, but to what extent is unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts of Saferock’s geopolymer cement by using life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the emissions from the Saferock production process. The results of this LCA study show that the geopolymer concrete analysed had a 57% reduction of CO 2 emissions from branch standard B35 concrete and a 22% reduction according to Norwegian Concrete Association Low Carbon A standard, but that potassium hydroxide accounts for 90% of the emissions.

• Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Bridging the Shift from Linear to Circular Economy in Road Infrastructure: The Norwegian Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities. In Kioumarsi, Mahdi & Shafei, Behrouz (Ed.), The 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices. Springer. ISSN 9783031696268. p. 1573–1583. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69626-8_131. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Current linear economic road construction and maintenance methods, characterized by significant use of virgin resources and substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are in sharp contrast to circular economy (CE) concepts that emphasize resource efficiency and emissions reductions. Despite the considerable energy use, material consumption, and emissions involved in road construction, this sector has been relatively underexplored in CE research. This paper aims to bridge this gap by investigating the transition from linear to circular road infrastructure, focusing particularly on the Norwegian construction industry. The study identifies barriers and drivers to this shift, intending to contribute to the concept of circular road infrastructure. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates a web-based survey among Norwegian road industry actors, augmented with six semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, to establish a framework of barriers and drivers to CE. The findings suggest that economic, regulatory, and political factors are major barriers to circularity, but these could be transformed into drivers if key conditions are changed.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Vetnes, Alexander Grødum (2025). Assessing the Environmental Benefit of Circular Economy Decisions for Managing Waste in Road Construction: The Norwegian GoGreen Case Study. In Kioumarsi, Mahdi & Shafei, Behrouz (Ed.), The 1st International Conference on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices. Springer. ISSN 9783031696268. p. 1921–1932. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-69626-8_158. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Circular construction is a branch of circular economy (CE) that seeks to reduce the environmental impacts in the built environment through intelligent, sustainable, and circular practices. Examples such as design for reuse, use of recycled materials, and regenerative infrastructure are nascent concepts within the construction industry, as most focus is directed towards buildings with less focus given to other forms of infrastructure, especially roads. A pilot project, known as GoGreen, has been developed for a Norwegian highway project, where materials from demolition are recovered and sorted on the construction site and sent for recycling. While construction projects typically recover less than 40% of waste, GoGreen uses careful planning and implementation to recover nearly 100% of waste materials for recycling. In this chapter, we investigate the circular concepts implemented in the Betna-Hesnes highway project to understand if the choices made lead to lower emissions and to help understand the scale and relevance of these actions as part of larger infrastructure projects. Through the use of life cycle assessment (LCA), we have analysed the processes for collecting, sorting, and recycling materials on the Betna-Hesnes project to understand the overall environmental footprint and attempt to quantify the impact of circular activities. The overall environmental benefit from the GoGreen tent was approximately 89 tons of CO 2 -equivalents saved. The results of this study will be useful for policymakers and actors within the construction industry to give greater insight into what actions can lead to the best environmental outcome and to push the road construction industry towards greater circularity.

• Pedersen, Martin Werner; Dønnum, Sander; Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Sustainable Approaches to Asphalt: Life Cycle Analysis and Innovation Opportunities in the Asphalt Industry in Norway. Procedia CIRP. 135, p. 1246–1251. doi: 10.1016/j.procir.2024.12.141. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The construction industry is a major consumer of virgin materials that is slowly being forced to adapt as environmental regulations tighten. The asphalt industry faces urgent challenges in reducing its ecological footprint as they are a major consumer of bitumen and stone materials for road construction. Alternative materials that reduce the environmental impact and resource demand for asphalt are therefore critical for future road projects. This study explores the environmental performance of three alternative asphalt production techniques focusing on bio-based and waste materials, through a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The study highlights key environmental impacts of novel asphalt materials. Mixtures incorporating 50% Silica Green Stone (SiGS), a byproduct of silicon manganese production, exhibits the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions among the innovative compositions tested, primarily due to transportation distances. In contrast, asphalt using tall oil as a bio-based binder and asphalt incorporating recycled asphalt (RAP) show reductions in GHG emissions, although the latter is constrained by material availability. The findings underline the potential of combining bio-based binders, recycled content, and slag aggregates to achieve environmental benefits, such as reduced GHG emissions and virgin resource demand, provided logistical challenges are addressed.

• Depledge, Chloe & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Building a circular battery economy: Insights on progress in Norway. Procedia CIRP. 135, p. 831–836. doi: 10.1016/j.procir.2024.12.090. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Driven by developments in the automotive, maritime, and energy storage sectors, the global demand for batteries grows. Due to the high use of virgin resources and energy in production, rare earth metals, and potential high emissions, it is essential that circular economy (CE) principles are integrated into the battery value chain. This approach is key to improving sustainability by extending battery life and reducing battery waste via second use and improving recycling pathways. In Norway, significant stocks of waste electric vehicle (EV) batteries are projected in the near future due to the highly established end market for EVs. This has led to a growing interest in the recycling, repurposing, and reusing of batteries; all of which are argued to contribute to a circular battery economy. This paper publishes findings from a national survey assessing current CE practices, obstacles, and stakeholder perspectives across Norway’s battery value chain. By aligning with national and upcoming EU regulations, the paper outlines strategic recommendations to strengthen the Norway’s global market position and sustainability and provides a path forward for industry actors to follow towards battery circularity.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Lande, Ingrid; Zenelaj, Besnik Sami; Koløen, Børge & Vertes, Katalin (2025). Environmental Assessment of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete in Prefabricated Bridge Beams: A Comparative LCA study. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES). ISSN 1755-1307. 1554. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012131. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Prefabricated prestressed beams are widely used in bridge construction for spans up to 41 meters, offering advantages such as material optimization and reduced resource consumption compared to on-site production. While ultra-high-performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) holds the potential for further material reductions, the environmental impacts are rarely explored. UHPFRC has high cement and micro-steel fibre content leading to potentially high CO 2 emissions per m 3 , which necessitates further exploration through sustainability assessment tools such as life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare emissions to conventional concrete. This study presents a comparative LCA of UHPFRC and standard concrete beams optimized for minimum material use. The comparison is framed within a theoretical case study involving the design of conventional concrete T-beams and UHPFRC pi-shaped beams. Both designs adhere to recognized standards (EN1992 for conventional concrete and SIA2052 for UHPFRC), and the assessment is localized to Southern Norway, with local UHPFRC production considered as part of a prospective analysis. Given the Norwegian government’s recent decision to prioritize environmental footprint reduction in public procurement, this study’s findings could enhance the competitiveness of UHPFRC in bridge construction. The results of this study can contribute to increasing understanding of the competitiveness of using UHPFRC in prefabricated bridge elements.

• Strømsvik, Helene & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Two different approaches to reduce the CO2 emission of rock mass grouting. In Johansson, Fredrik; Ansell, Anders; Johansson, Daniel; Funehag, Johan & Norrman, Jenny (Ed.), Tunnelling into a Sustainable Future – Methods and Technologies: Proceedings of the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2025 (WTC 2025), 9-15 May 2025, Stockholm, Sweden. CRC Press. ISSN 9781003559047. p. 468–468. doi: 10.1201/9781003559047-60. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Norwegian research project “Sustainable value chain and use of materials in road construction” aims to find novel ways of reducing environmental impacts of road infrastructure through recycling and reuse of waste materials. Heavy tunnel infrastructure consumes the most materials of all road constructions, thus finding solutions for reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions from tunnel infrastructure is a priority. This paper presents a study of two different approaches to reduce the CO2 emission of grout for rock mass grouting: 1) up to 30 % reduction of cement content, using Silica Greenstone, a product derived from waste, as cement replacer; and 2) grout without cement clinker, using alkali-activated binder and mining tailings. Laboratory results for setting-time, viscosity and bleeding were found to be comparable to traditional cement-based recipes. The two approaches are also analyzed using life cycle assessment (LCA) to understand the potential CO2 emissions reductions compared to standard grout.

• Lande, Ingrid; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Thorstensen, Rein Terje (2024). Greenhouse Gas Emissions of UHPC Material Compositions, Ultra-High Performance Concrete and High Performance Building Materials for Sustainability Construction. Kassel University Press GmbH. ISSN 9783737611596. p. 101–104. doi: 10.17170/kobra-202402059519. Full text in Research Archive
• Wilhelmsen, Marthe Elden; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Heimdal, Anette & Ruser, Alexander (2023). UNDERSTANDING AND CHALLENGING CLIMATE SKEPTIC ATTITUDES AMONG ENGINEERING STUDENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE PEDAGOGY. In Buck, Lyndon; Grierson, Hillary & Bohemia, Erik (Ed.), DS 123: Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE 2023). The Design Society. ISSN 9781912254194. doi: 10.35199/EPDE.2023.48. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper investigates the prevalence of climate skepticism among 3rd year engineering students and seeks to understand how pedagogical interventions can be used to challenge climate skeptic views. This contribution follows a two-pronged approach to estimate the proportion of climate skeptic attitudes in the classroom, understand their root cause and, most importantly, develop pedagogical tools to challenge such views. The first part involved conducting two statement-based surveys to identify the prevalence of climate skepticism before and after pedagogical interventions. The second part discusses the effect of the use of interactive pedagogical methods to challenge climate skepticism and reduce potential conflict in the classroom. The goal of this research is to determine which pedagogical methods can contribute to changing attitudes towards climate skepticism among engineering students. Two surveys were given to 275 engineering students before and after several hours of lectures on sustainability theory and an interactive class exercise to challenge climate skeptical views. The results of the surveys showed that climate skepticism among our group of engineering students was higher than the Norwegian population average and that the chosen pedagogical intervention showed mixed results in changing these attitudes. The results of the study can be used to understand how engineers perceive the challenge of climate change and to what extent engineering students are skeptical of climate change science. The results will also be useful for educators in understanding how topics of climate change can be effectively taught and how climate skepticism can be dealt with in the classroom through effective pedagogical methods. 

• Wrålsen, Benedikte & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2023). Use of life cycle assessment to evaluate circular economy business models in the case of Li-ion battery remanufacturing. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. ISSN 0948-3349. 28, p. 554–565. doi: 10.1007/s11367-023-02154-0. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose The purpose of this study is to advance and illustrate how life cycle assessment (LCA) can assess circular economy business models for lithium-ion batteries to verify potential environmental benefts compared to linear business models. Scenarios for battery repurpose are assessed to support future decision-makers regarding the choice of new versus second life batteries for stationary energy storage. A procedure to determine the substitution coefcient for repurpose and reuse of batteries is proposed. Methods Two diferent circular economy business models are assessed by applying primary data from two Norwegian companies for the development of a new life cycle inventory. With this new data, the authors compare second life battery (from frst life in electric vehicle) scenarios and avoided production potential by performing a complete consequential LCA. Building on earlier work, a procedure to identify the substitution coefcient (i.e., potential for avoided production) for battery life cycle assessments is proposed. Interviews during factory visits were performed to identify a technical and a market factor afecting the substitution coefcient. Results and discussion This study illustrates how life cycle assessment methodology can detect and thus enhance the potential environmental benefts and trade-ofs of circular economy business models. Results show that the CBMs which use second life batteries correspond to 16% (for global warming potential) of manufacturing a new battery. This means that a second life battery must avoid>16% production of a new battery to become the preferred alternative. Hence, circular economy business models with second life batteries can generate net environmental benefts while the remaining battery capacity and market price are identifed factors that can alter the potential environmental benefts. The fndings suggest that assumptions concerning the avoided production emissions are crucial for understanding the overall impacts of battery value chains. Conclusions Circular economy business models which enable second life batteries show lower environmental impacts compared to a new battery when it can partly avoid production of a new battery. Based on the identifed technical and market factor afecting this potential, a key message to industry and other organizations is that second life batteries should be chosen over new batteries. This depends on the remaining capacity being satisfactory for the new application, and the investment is not performed because of a low price compared to a new battery. Consequential LCA practitioners adopting a market approach while evaluating battery reuse and repurpose should model and account for the avoided production potential.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Heimdal, Anette (2022). EXPERIENCES FROM TEACHING CIRCULAR ECONOMY CONCEPTS TO ENGINEERING STUDENTS. In Bohemia, Erik; Buck, Lyndon & Grierson, Hilary (Ed.), DS 117: Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE 2022), London South Bank University in London, UK. 8th - 9th September 2022. The Design Society. ISSN 9781912254163. doi: 10.35199/EPDE.2022.76. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  For several years, a mandatory bachelor-level course at the University of Agder (UIA) has been educating engineering students on a range of topics and ideas related to system thinking, ethics, and sustainability including circular economy. This paper investigates the learning outcomes of engineering students in this course by evaluating their knowledge of circular economy before and after attending this course to determine if current methods for teaching circular economy are effective for educating future engineers. Active learning and problem-based learning are the two primary learning techniques used in this course and students are evaluated based on their overall application of circular economy principles in group projects. The learning outcomes of the course have been evaluated based on a set of surveys given to students before and after the course to determine to what extent they have had prior knowledge of circular economy principles and how these students believe that knowledge gained in the course can be used to support regenerative and sustainable transformations in their future working life. The survey results show that engineering students have weak prior knowledge of circular economy concepts but that engineers are both enthusiastic towards sustainability issues and understand their importance. The results of this paper show that there is a need to improve circular economy education for engineers.

• Malavatu, Jayachandra; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Peter, Kepplinger & Fässler, Bernhard (2022). Hybrid energy storage systems of energy- and power-dense batteries: a survey on modelling techniques and control methods. Procedia CIRP. 105, p. 794–798. doi: 10.1016/j.procir.2022.02.193. Full text in Research Archive
• Sophie, Engels & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2022). Realizing the potential of humic acid recovery in Norway through chitosan treatment of drinking water. Procedia CIRP. 105, p. 177–182. doi: 10.1016/j.procir.2022.02.031. Full text in Research Archive
• Wrålsen, Benedikte; Prieto-Sandoval, Vanessa; Mejia-Villa, Andres; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Hellström, Magnus Mikael & Fässler, Bernhard (2021). Circular business models for lithium-ion batteries - Stakeholders, barriers, and drivers. Journal of Cleaner Production. ISSN 0959-6526. 317. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128393. Full text in Research Archive
• Liljenström, Carolina; Miliutenko, Sofiia; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Brattebø, Helge; Birgisdottir, Harpa & Toller, Susanna [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Life cycle assessment as decision-support in choice of road corridor: case study and stakeholder perspectives. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation. ISSN 1556-8318. p. 1–18. doi: 10.1080/15568318.2020.1788679. Full text in Research Archive
• Vignisdottir, Hrefna Run; Ebrahimi, Babak; Booto, Gaylord Kabongo; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Brattebø, Helge & Wallbaum, Holger [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). A review of environmental impacts of winter road maintenance. Cold Regions Science and Technology. ISSN 0165-232X. 158, p. 143–153. doi: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2018.10.013. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The need for winter road maintenance (WRM) is changing in cold regions due to climate change. How the different modes of WRM will contribute to future overall emissions from infrastructure is therefore of great interest to road owners with a view to a more sustainable, low-carbon future. In the quest for near-zero-emissions transport, all aspects of the transport sector need to be accounted for in the search for possible mitigation of emissions. This study used 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2018 to map available information on the environmental impacts and effect of WRM and reveal any research gaps. The articles were categorized according to their research theme and focus. They were found to focus mainly on the local effects of WRM with emphasis on effects on water. Of the reviewed works, 27 contain information related to the environmental effects of deicers on a local level while five focused on global impact, which was mainly caused by fuel consumption. Only two articles took a holistic look at the system to identify emission sources and the effectiveness of possible changes in operations methods or material selection. In conclusion, WRM would benefit from further research to understand how it affects the natural environment in regions with a cold climate. Furthermore, a life-cycle approach could reveal ways to mitigate emissions through effectively comparing possible changes in the system without shifting the problem to other aspects of road transport.

• Vignisdottir, Hrefna Run; Ebrahimi, Babak; Booto, Gaylord Kabongo; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Brattebø, Helge & Wallbaum, Holger [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Life cycle assessment of winter road maintenance. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. ISSN 0948-3349. doi: 10.1007/s11367-019-01682-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose Winter road maintenance in the Nordic climate is demanding due to challenging weather conditions, high precipitation, and icy conditions. As a leading country in the transition to low-emission transport, Norway must work to reduce their emissions while providing a safe level of service through winter maintenance operations. This article investigates the environmental impacts of winter road maintenance (WRM) in Norway both today and under a climate change scenario predicted for 2050. Methods Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to evaluate the environmental impact of the functional unit “average winter road maintenance in Norway on national and county roads per km.lane.” The ReCiPe (hierarchy) method was used to identify and categorize emissions related to WRM to show how different factors affect the system and to reveal hidden emissions hotspots. Real-time data from WRM vehicles were used to determine how fuel consumption is affected by gradient and weather. Producers and operators provided other relevant information on WRM vehicles. Official reports supplied information on deicer quantities used and the total distance driven by WRM vehicles in Norway. Results and discussion The quantity of deicer used is the main source of emissions contributing toward all impact categories. The effect of deicer is likely to be even higher in certain impact categories. The environmental impact of the deicer after application is not included. The representation of WRM in existing emissions data is limited despite the considerable amount of deicer applied and the long distances that WRM vehicles travel. The results document how energy use throughout the system is another important source of emissions. Various parameters, such as road gradient, vehicle properties, driver behavior, and weather, affect the fuel consumption of WRM vehicles, with weather being the most important of these. Conclusions Significant potential for emissions reductions from WRM was found, and WRM operations should be included in cold-climate road LCA studies. The environmental impacts of deicer application are especially high compared to the mechanical clearing of roads and contribute strongly to impact categories such as terrestrial, freshwater, and human toxicity and to the formation of particulate matter.

• Booto, Gaylord Kabongo; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Ebrahimi, Babak; Vignisdottir, Hrefna Run; Brattebø, Helge & Pitera, Kelly [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). Road Planning and Route Alignment Selection Criteria in the Norwegian Context. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. ISSN 1757-8981. 471(5). doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/471/6/062007. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This paper reveals the main factors that guide road alignment design process in Norway. The goal is to discover what constitutes the main priorities for road planners, how these priorities are ranked when it comes to alignment selection, and how they are related to guiding factors identified in official planning documents and government transport plans throughout the life cycle of a road. This is done through a comprehensive literature and data search, involving published academic research in the road alignment design field, and by exploring Norwegian road planning documents and guidelines. Examples from a recently implemented road project are also included as a way to illustrate alignment priorities in theory versus how alignment decisions are made in practice. Particular attention is paid to how key factors influence environmental and social dimensions and how much importance these dimensions are given in the overall decision-making process. The focus on the Norwegian case is relevant in that it will identify which knowledge gaps need to be filled based on actual practices in the Norwegian road sector. The results of this study found that the dominating factors in road planning and alignment selection are the user cost and the environmental and socio-economic as they are directly related to the main national transport strategy of developing a carbon-neutral and resilient transport system. These results can be used to reinforce and amplify existing road planning strategies and to understand where challenges for environmental and social responsible road planning and alignment selection are found.

• Slobodchikov, Roman; Bakke, Kjetil Lohne; Svennevig, Paul Ragnar & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Implementing climate impacts in road infrastructure in the design phase by combining BIM with LCA. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES). ISSN 1755-1307. 323(1). doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/323/1/012089. Full text in Research Archive
• Wrålsen, Benedikte; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Skaar, Christofer (2018). Life cycle assessment of an ambitious renovation of a Norwegian apartment building to nZEB standard. Energy and Buildings. ISSN 0378-7788. 177, p. 197–206. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.07.036. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The upgrading of building infrastructure to modern standards represents a key tool for reducing global energy demand and emissions from buildings. In Norway, building upgrades have been prioritized despite the relatively low carbon intensity of the Norwegian energy mix through various incentive programs and continual improvement in building standards. Prioritizing upgrades is important as up to 90% of the existing Norwegian building stock is expected to remain standing by the year 2050. The overall impact of upgrading buildings is expected to be a net benefit to the environment but this is primarily in operation, and many studies on energy do not include the materials and resources required for upgrading. The ambitious building upgrade in the Stjernehus apartment block in Kristiansand, Norway represented an opportunity to analyse the emissions and cumulative energy demand of renovation strategies in a real-world case study. The Stjernehus apartment block, once declared the coldest apartment block in Norway, was renovated from 1960s standards to nearly passive house standard, leading to considerable improvements in operational energy demand. The renovation was evaluated in this study with respect to energy demand and overall lifetime environmental emissions using life cycle analysis over a 30-year period, and with three different scenarios for the energy supply. The results of this study show that despite the low carbon intensity of the Norwegian energy mix, there was a considerable environmental benefit to renovation. It is recommended that renovation of existing buildings continue as part of a successful climate mitigation strategy in Norway.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Life cycle assessment of large scale timber bridges: A case study from the world’s longest timber bridge design in Norway. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. ISSN 1361-9209. 59, p. 301–312. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2018.01.018. Full text in Research Archive
• Linjord, Torjus; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Imenes, Anne Gerd (2017). Life cycle analysis of building integrated photovoltaic roof tile for use in Norwegian conditions. RIL. Suomen Rakennusinsinöörien Liitto. ISSN 0356-9403. p. 25–32. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The main task in this study was to find the environmental impact of a photovoltaic (PV) roof tile for use in a Nordic climate with an interest in determining the energy payback time (EPBT) and global warming potential (GWP). A comparative life cycle assessment was conducted on two selected photovoltaic technologies used in Norway: a PV roof tile and a conventional PV panel. A total of five cases were examined in this analysis and the primary focus was on a monocrystalline PV roof tile, of which there were four different cases of the product. The fifth case in this study was an analysis on a conventional photovoltaic panel for baseline comparison purposes. Since there are no complete datasets available for the evaluation of annual performance of the PV roof tile, this was estimated for a location in Grimstad, Norway. The results of the study show that from an environmental perspective the use of conventional photovoltaics and building integrated photovoltaics are feasible solutions for the environment in Nordic climates.

• Larsen, Ingrid Lande; Aasbakken, Ida Granseth; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Vertes, Katalin & Thorstensen, Rein Terje (2017). Determining the Environmental Benefits of Ultra High Performance Concrete as Bridge Construction Material. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. ISSN 1757-8981. 245(5). doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/245/5/052096. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a material that is attracting attention in the construction industry due to the high mechanical strength and durability, leading to structures having low maintenance requirements. The production of UHPC, however, has generally higher environmental impact than normal strength concrete due to the increased demand of cement required in the concrete mix. What is still not sufficiently investigated, is if the longer lifetime, slimmer construction and lower maintenance requirements lead to a net environmental benefit compared to standard concrete bridge design. This study utilizes life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine the lifetime impacts of two comparable highway crossing footbridges spanning 40 meters, designed respectively with UHPC and normal strength concrete. The results of the study show that UHPC is an effective material for reducing lifetime emissions from construction and maintenance of long lasting infrastructure, as the UHPC design outperforms the normal strength concrete bridge in most impact categories.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Vertes, Katalin (2017). Comparative life cycle assessment of concrete and timber road bridge deck designs. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Timber Bridges. ISSN 0284-5172. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Brattebø, Helge; Iversen, Ole Magnus Kålås; Miliutenko, Sofiia & Potting, Jose (2016). Quantifying energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions of road infrastructure projects: An LCA case study of the Oslo fjord crossing in Norway. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research. ISSN 1567-7133. 16(3), p. 445–466. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The road sector consumes large amounts of materials and energy and produces large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions, which canbe reduced with correct information in the early planning stages of road project.An important aspect in the early planning stagesis the choice between alternative road corridors that will determine the routedistance and the subsequent need for different road infrastructure elements, such as bridges and tunnels. Together, these factors may heavily influence the life cycle environmental impacts of the road project. This paper presents a case study for two prospective road corridor alternatives for the Oslo fjord crossing in Norwayand utilizesin a streamlined model based on life cycle assessmentprinciples to quantify cumulative energy demand and greenhouse gas emissionsfor each route. This techniquecan be used to determine potential environmental impacts of road projectsby overcomingseveral challengesin the early planningstages, such as the limited availability of detailed life cycle inventory data on the consumption of material and energy inputs, large uncertainty in the design and demand for road infrastructure elements, as well as in future traffic and future vehicle technologies. The results show the importance of assessing different life cycle activities, input materials, fuels and the critical components of such a system. For the Oslo fjord case, traffic during operation contributes about 94 % and 89 % of the annual CED and about 98 % and 92 % of the annual GHG emissions, for a tunnel and a bridge fjord crossing alternative respectively.

View all works in NVA

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Vertes, Katalin; Pytten, Gordon; Hortemo, Lars Ole & Brændhagen, Anders (2017). Life cycle assessment of an optimized network arch highway bridge utilizing timber. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781138295957. 2304 p. Full text in Research Archive

View all works in NVA

• Thomsen, Anna; Muri, Ola Heum; Bohne, Rolf André & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2026). Bygge klimasmart fra start med KI. Byggeindustrien. ISSN 0332-7086. p. 18–18. doi: https:/static1.squarespace.com/static/54ff1c6be4b0331c79072679/t/69a7c74d3e205f5ba25f19a4/1772603213776/Byggeindustrien+NTNU+2026_02+s18.pdf. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  En ny masteroppgave ved NTNU har utforsket hvordan kunstig intelligens kan brukes for å redusere klimagassutslipp i tidligfasen, og har samtidig belyst dagens situasjon med eksisterende barrierer og muligheter. Resultatene peker på at teknologien fortsatt er i en veldig tidlig fase, at den er unøyaktig, for lite transparent og for lite integrert i arbeidsflyten. Dette gjør det vanskelig å benytte dem i en reell arbeidshverdag og ha tillit til resultatene.

• Hennig, Martine Alexandra Andersen; Vetnes, Alexander Grødum; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Bohne, Rolf André (2025). Something to re-peat? Reusing peat in infrastructure projects for natural restoration - an LCA-approach. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & Engelsen, Christian John (2025). Life cycle assessment of using silicomanganese slags as a binder replacement in concrete for road infrastructure. Full text in Research Archive
• Vetnes, Alexander Grødum; Hennig, Martine Alexandra Andersen & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2025). Road Decommissioning: A Path to Sustainability or an Uncertain Mitigation Strategy? Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Brekke, Simon (2024). Life cycle assessment of geopolymer concrete made with tailings from ilmenite mining. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Vetnes, Alexander Grødum (2024). Assessing the environmental benefit of circular economy decisions for managing waste in road construction: The Norwegian GoGreen case study. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). Innføring til Bærekraftig verdikjede og materialbruk i vegbygging. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). GoGreen: Ombruk på byggeplass i praksis. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). GoGreen: sirkulær prosesser på byggeplass i praksis. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). Reduksjon av utslipp i anskaffelser: Hvilke fakta legges til grunn? Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). Sirkulær økonomi og miljøanalyse i vegbygging. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). Miljøaspektene rundt gjenbruk av elbilbatterier for energilagring. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). «GoGreen» ombruk og gjenvinning i anleggsbransjen. Full text in Research Archive
• Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2024). Bridging the Shift from Linear to Circular Economy in Road Infrastructure: The Norwegian Stakeholders Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities. Full text in Research Archive
• Simon, Brekke & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2023). Life cycle assessment of geopolymer concrete made with tailings from ilmenite mining. Full text in Research Archive
• Vetnes, Alexander Grødum & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2023). The conceptualisation of circular road construction: A case study in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Sophie, Engels (2022). Realizing the potential of humic acid recovery in Norway through chitosan treatment of drinking water. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2022). Lørdagsuniversitetet i Flekkefjord: Sirkulær økonomi i byggebransjen. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2022). Sustainability and the Battery Value Chain. Full text in Research Archive
• Wrålsen, Benedikte & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2022). Life cycle assessment to assess circular economy business models: case of Li-ion batteries. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2021). Sirkulær økonomi og byggebransjen. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2020). Forsker på veiforurensing. [Radio]. NKR P1 Sørlandet. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Sirkulær økonomi og nye forretningmodeller. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Sirkulær økonomi og plast. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Agder Symbiosis and UiA. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Hva er sirkulær økonomi? Hva slags muligheter kan dukke opp med sirkulær økonomi og hvordan kan vi utnytte mulighetene som ligger i den sirkulære økonomien? Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Sustainability, life cycle thinking, and circular economy. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2019). Implementing climate impacts in road infrastructure in the design phase by combining BIM with LCA. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Sustainability review of Norwegian road construction and infrastructure. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Corporate sustainability, LCA and green supply chain management. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Simplified emissions calculations using cost-based process codes. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Bruk av LCA i byggebransjen. Full text in Research Archive
• Vignisdottir, Hrefna Run; Booto, Gaylord Kabongo; Bohne, Rolf André; Ebrahimi, Babak & O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Data Analysis of Winter Maintenance Operations. Proceedings of XVth International Winter Road Congress. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Booto, Gaylord Kabongo; Ebrahimi, Babak; Vignisdottir, Hrefna Run; Wallbaum, Holger & Bohne, Rolf André (2018). Sustainability review of Norwegian road construction and infrastructure. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Sustainable Mega Infrastructures & 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Construction Materials. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2018). Praktisk innføring av LCA i byggebransjen. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Life cycle analysis of building integrated photovoltaic roof tile for use in Norwegian conditions. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Life cycle assessment of an optimized network arch highway bridge utilizing timber. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Comparative life cycle assessment of concrete and timber road bridge deck designs. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Bruk av LCA i byggebransjen: en introduksjon. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Modelling solutions for implementing life cycle environmental impacts in road construction in the procurement process: A case study in Norway. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The current public road network in Norway is being upgraded with new ambitious road projects to meet today’s standards. At the same time, the Norwegian National Public Roads Administration (NPRA) has committed to reducing the life cycle GHG emissions of new built infrastructure by 40% by the year 2030. As the main road planning organization in Norway, NPRA set the conditions and manage the procurement process for new roads and ensure that they meet the current standards. Norwegian investment in road infrastructure is set to increase above current record levels therefore NPRA has an important role to play in deciding which roads will be built and who will build them. NPRA will be able to use this influence to help road builders reduce environmental impacts in the roads they construct through their newly launched “Demands for Climate Emissions in Contracts” (KRAKK) project. In Norway, roads are built per national handbooks that detail the guidelines and construction norms to be used by the road builders. The national handbooks are organized in a coding system where each code describes the process or material used in road construction presented in either physical quantities or monetary values. NPRA designs and chooses the routes for roads and then release a tender for these projects in which different contractors can bid following the process code system. This system is well organized and has the potential to be adapted into a streamlined LCA framework. This framework will be able to give detailed emissions information for NPRA in the bid process and will be easy to implement for road builders, who have knowledge of the process code system. The current tool that NPRA uses for analyzing emissions road projects, called RoadLCA, is based on process codes and utilizes relatively basic calculation parameters among 5 impact categories. If RoadLCA is to be used on a broader scale for the tender process, it must be updated and expanded with more emissions information that are relevant to Norwegian conditions. This can be done with use of both EPDs and full-scale LCA test studies to improve the accuracy of the results. Process codes that are described in monetary values are currently underrepresented in the RoadLCA model, which may also require implementing hybrid-LCA techniques if more detailed information is not available. The RoadLCA model will also need to be improved to make it easier for road builders to use, and should be designed to avoid any manipulation by road builders who use the model under the competitive tender process. This paper will present the RoadLCA model and will discuss the technical solutions used to improve the model for broader use in the procurement process. This paper will do this by testing case studies and analyzing them with the RoadLCA model and traditional LCA techniques. This paper will also discuss the challenges of developing such models with use of EPDs and by constructing LCA inventories.

• Larsen, Ingrid Lande; Aasbakken, Ida Granseth; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Vertes, Katalin & Thorstensen, Rein Terje (2017). Determining the Environmental Benefits of Ultra High Performance Concrete as a Bridge Construction Material. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is a material that is attracting attention in the construction industry due to the high mechanical strength and durability, leading to structures having low maintenance requirements. The production of UHPC, however, has generally higher environmental impact than normal strength concrete due to the increased demand of cement required in the concrete mix. What is still not sufficiently investigated, is if the longer lifetime, slimmer construction and lower maintenance requirements lead to a net environmental benefit compared to standard concrete bridge design. This study utilizes life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine the lifetime impacts of two comparable highway crossing footbridges spanning 40 meters, designed respectively with UHPC and normal strength concrete. The results of the study show that UHPC is an effective material for reducing lifetime emissions from construction and maintenance of long lasting infrastructure, as the UHPC design outperforms the normal strength concrete bridge in most impact categories.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2017). Bruk av LCA i byggebransjen: En introduksjon. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2016). Life cycle assessment of the world’s longest timber bridge. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph (2015). Quantifying energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions of road infrastructure projects in early stage planning: An LCA case study of the Oslo fjord crossing in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Liltved, Helge & Fredriksen, Karl Sigurd (2019). Strategies and solutions for including life cycle emissions in planning Norwegian road infrastructure. 07 Gruppen. ISSN 9788271179472. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In response to increasing environmental pressure due to climate change, the global community and the Norwegian government have agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The government-run Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) have been tasked with finding ways to drastically reduce their carbon dioxide emissions from road construction and maintenance by the year 2030. In response, NPRA has invested in research and begun the process of developing policy to promote the uptake of cleaner technologies, fuels, materials and processes. This thesis will discuss the solutions and strategies that NPRA can follow to reduce their emissions by presenting a series of articles that focus on the use of life cycle assessment models to calculate emissions of road infrastructure in the early planning phases and by discussing the implementation of emissions reductions policies. The results of this study have shown the use of models can be helpful for calculating emissions but that these models must be sufficiently robust and simple to use in order to be useful during road planning.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Slobodchikov, Roman & Bakke, Kjetil Lohne (2018). Inkludere CO2-regnskap i 3D-modellen for veibyggingsprosjekter. Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  For decades, Norwegian roads were constructed and planed by use of printout drawings. Today, as projects increase in scope and complexity, road construction has become a highly collaborative effort, with multiple disciplines working together to fulfil strict regulation requirements. It is due to this development that usage of digital tools in road and infrastructure engineering is more common. This master thesis takes a closer look at today’s possibilities in digital road construction design and on potential of expanding the usability by applying modern software development. Mainly, two separate cases have been investigated, a country road and a main highway, to explore opportunities in calculation of CO2-eq. emissions based of data available in respective 3D models. As a result, an application was developed that could be loaded into the design software, giving the user access to an extended control panel functionality. The user can rapidly calculate estimates for CO2-eq. emissions, energy use and cost based on the elements available in the model. Resulting data can then be stored, directly in the model, making it readily accessible for collaboration and/ or optimization. When comparing the developed application to traditional means of environmental impact assessment, a deviation of less than 4% was found. This suggest, given the constraints of this study, that such application of digital tools can be useful measure during planning and engineering phases of a road construction project. However, further work, development and research is required as there is a lack of project specific data.

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Nordtveit, Espen (2017). Life Cycle Assessment of a Battery Passenger Ferry. Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Konfidensiell til / confidential until 01-07-2022

• O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Skaar, Christofer & Wrålsen, Benedikte (2016). Life Cycle Assessment of an Ambitious Upgrading of an Apartment Building - An Environmental Approach on Upgrading Projects. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is conducted of an ambitious upgrading of an old apartment building to assess environmental impacts caused by construction materials and related processes. The result of the LCA is compared with a previously performed analysis of the building where the tool Klimagassregnskap.no was used to predict carbon footprint of the building apartment. In order to identify environmental impacts from the ambitious upgrading there was firstly a need to collect all data for materials used in detail, and related construction and transport processes. When the data was gathered and treated, materials were allocated to shell components and processes. Furthermore, the model was linked to the background database ecoinvent version 2.2, and the LCA software Arda was used to process the data. The ReCiPe method, and hierarchist midpoint was utilized for impact assessment. The NORDEL electricity mix was applied for electricity consumption. The results show that total carbon footprint from the Stjernehus upgrading was 439 ton CO2-eq. This includes production of construction materials, transportation to site, energy and diesel used during construction, and end of life treatment of materials, including transport to waste treatment plant (in EPD terminology: A1-A5, B seperate, C1-C4). As the scope of this Life Cycle Assessment was the ambitious upgrading project, the emissions related to energy consumption during user phase was considered separately from emissions embodied in materials. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use by residents prior to upgrading was 164 ton CO2-eq/year and decreased by 84% to 25 ton CO2-eq/year after the rehabilitation. The study presents two variants of the LCA model. The first in chapter 4 presents the complete inventory list, and the second model has a limited scope to be comparable with results in Klimagassregnskap.no. The comparison in chapter 5 shows that Klimagassregnskap.no calculated a total of 156 ton-CO2 emissions from the upgrading, while the adjusted LCA model found 237 ton CO2-eq. Both the LCA and Klimagassregnskap.no model result in an optimistic approach towards future ambitious upgrading, however the latter tool underestimates emissions from materials. The time before emissions caused by the upgrading project are payed back in energy savings is 3.3 years. Thus this study supports upgrading projects of building apartments in the near future from an environmental perspective. Nevertheless, for such projects to occur and be profitable, there is a need to hold a long-term perspective on economic value and consider societal and environmental values in addition.

• Linjord, Torjus; O'Born, Reyn Joseph & Imenes, Anne Gerd (2016). Life cycle analysis of photovoltaic roof tile. Universitetet i Agder. Full text in Research Archive
• Brattebø, Helge; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Sartori, Igor; Klinski, Michael & Nørstebø, Bjørnar (2016). Typologier for norske boligbygg - Eksempler på tiltak for energieffektivisering. EPISCOPE (prosjekt). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne rapporten presenterer en såkalt typologi-brosjyre for norske boligbygg med vekt på å vise effekter av tiltak for energieffektivisering i typiske norske boligbygg. Arbeidet er utført innen rammene av prosjektet EPISCOPE (Energy Performance Indicator Tracking Schemes for the Continous Optimisation of Refurbishment Processes in European Housing Stocks), finansiert med støtte fra EU-programmet Intelligent Energy Europe, under kontrakt IEE/12/695/SI2.644739 med Institut Wohnen und Umwelt, Darmstadt, som prosjektkoordinator. Prosjektleder i Norge er Professor Helge Brattebø, NTNU, med SINTEF Byggforsk som underleverandør under lokal ledelse av seniorforsker Igor Sartori.EPISCOPE-prosjektet (www.episcope.eu) har til formål å bidra til en mer transparent og effektiv prosess for energieffektivisering og rehabilitering av den europeiske boligmassen. Prosjektet utvikler blant annet nasjonale typologier for boligbygg for 16 land, gjennom bruk av et felles klassifiseringsprinsipp, en felles metodikk og modell for beregning av bygningers energibalanse, samt 2-siders datasett med angivelse av forutsetninger og resultater for utvalgte eksempelbygninger i det enkelte land. Metodikken og modellen er en forbedring av det somble benyttet for energibalanse for bygningstypologier i IEE-prosjektet TABULA. Gjennom EPISCOPE-prosjektet er denne modellen utvidet til også å omfatte eksempler på nye bygninger og Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB)i de enkelte land, og 6 nye land er inkludert i prosjektet, inklusive Norge.Denne rapporten gir en kort introduksjon til typologiene som er utviklet for boligbygg i Norge, dernest presenteres formatet og den type informasjonsom inngår ide norske 2-siders typologibrosjyrene, og avslutningsvis rapporteres datasett med forutsetninger og resultater for til sammen 21 valgte eksempelbygg som illustrerer den norske boligmassen.Rapporten er en revidert utgave av en tidligere versjon datert 05.09.2014, med justeringer for boligstatistikken i kapittel 1.3.

• Brattebø, Helge; O'Born, Reyn Joseph; Sandberg, Nina Holck; Storvolleng, Ragni Kristin; Baltruszewics, Marta & Folstad, Marie [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2014). Fremtidig utvikling i energiforbruk og CO2-utslipp for Norges boligmasse. EPISCOPE (prosjekt). Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Denne rapporten presenterer metodikk og foreløpige resultater i forbindelse med estimering av den fremtidige utviklingen i energiforbruk og CO2-utslipp fra den norske boligmassen. Dette er et forskningsarbeid som er utført innen rammene av prosjektet EPISCOPE (Energy Performance Indicator Tracking Schemes for the Continous Optimisation of Refurbishment Processes in European Housing Stocks), finansiert med støtte fra EU-programmet Intelligent Energy Europe, under kontrakt IEE/12/695/SI2.644739 med Institut Wohnen und Umwelt, Darmstadt, som prosjektkoordinator. Prosjektleder i Norge er Professor Helge Brattebø, NTNU, med SINTEF Byggforsk som underleverandør under lokal ledelse av seniorforsker Igor Sartori. EPISCOPE-prosjektet (www.episcope.eu) har til formål å bidra til en mer transparent og effektiv prosess for energieffektivisering og rehabilitering av den europeiske boligmassen. Prosjektet utvikler blant annet nasjonale typologier for boligbygg for 16 land, gjennom bruk av et felles klassifiseringsprinsipp, en felles metodikk og modell for beregning av bygningers energibalanse, samt 2-siders datasett med angivelse av forutsetninger og resultater for utvalgte eksempelbygninger i det enkelte land. Metodikken og modellen er en forbedring av det som ble benyttet for energibalanse for bygningstypologier i IEE-prosjektet TABULA. Gjennom EPISCOPE-prosjektet er denne modellen utvidet til også å omfatte eksempler på nye bygninger og Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) i de enkelte land, og 6 nye land er inkludert i prosjektet, inklusive Norge. Denne rapporten gir en kort oversikt over sammensetningen av den norske boligmassen, med basis i siste tilgjengelige statistikk fra Statistisk sentralbyrå og klassifisert i henhold til bygningstypologiene som er utviklet for norske boligbygg i EPISCOPE-prosjektet. Dernest gis en oversikt over energibruken for eksempelbygg innen denne typologien, med effektene av tre varianter energirehabilitering av eksisterende bygninger og tre varianter energistandard for fremtidige bygninger. Rapporten avsluttes med skissering av metodikk for og foreløpige resultater fra scenarioanalyse av fremtidig energibruk og CO2-utslipp utført gjennom et antall masteroppgaver ved NTNU. Ytterligere resultater fra scenarioanalyserforventes rapportert videre i løpet av det resterende arbeidet i EPISCOPE-prosjektet.

View all works in NVA