eco-TEA Standardization Newsletter 3

Dear eco-TEA Standards supporter,

After some slowdowns because of the pandemic, we are now back in business. Here’s what we’ve been up to:

1. Standards Council of Canada Awards Support for eco-TEA standards development

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) entered into a Cooperation Agreement with the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) to support a standardization strategy involving a technical specification for performing an eco-technoeconomic analysis (eTEA). The CSChE will be the supporting organization, with Prof. Thomas A. Adams II of McMaster University as the Project Leader representing the CSChE.

The proposed technical specification would provide definitions, processes and guidance for the application of different eTEA methodologies, and will focus specifically on industrial systems such as chemical and energy systems.  The standardization strategy’s proposed potential benefits include a better economic and environmental value assessment of a process system; increased confidence and reduced risk in the assessment; easier comparisons of process systems and analyses conducted by different organizations; and, more rapid and better-informed decision making.

2. MIT Lecture on the proposed standard postponed

The May 2020 lecture at MIT was postponed due to the pandemic. We are currently in the process of rescheduling either virtually or in-person as the situation may allow at an unknown point in the future. However, for now, no more future lectures are planned. However, you can still see a recording through the AIChE CAST division webinar series on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uq04K_aKAE]

3. Proposal for Technical Specification in development

We have been developing a proposal for the technical specification, which includes getting valuable feedback from ISO mirror committee members from the international community. We continue to meet with ISO committee members in hopes of presenting a formal document to the international community in early 2021. Our immediate next steps include national consultations with mirror committee members on the language of the current draft documents.

4. How you can help

If you haven’t yet, please send your support letters for the project to standards@psecommunity.org, which will accompany the proposal. You can download a template here: https://psecommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/LTR_Letter-of-Support_EXAMPLE_v0_2019-07-08.docx

In addition, one great way to get involved is to apply for membership in a relevant ISO mirror committee in your own country’s standards body. As the technical specification develops, there will need to be technical experts from at least five countries involved in its development. Participating in this work as a representative for your own country is one of the most important ways to contribute. For more information, please contact standards@psecommunity.org.

Thanks!

Thomas A. Adams II

CSChE Systems & Control Division Chair
McMaster University, Chemical Engineering