Program Structure
The overall program length is 8 weeks of learning and the required study hours per week are 7-8. The program will be offered 2 times a year (Oct-Dec and Feb-Apr) and can be taken in smaller sections (course-by-course) if students cannot commit to the entire program in one offering.
There will be a synchronous online “Coffee Hour”. These sessions are optional but strongly encouraged as an opportunity for students to meet the instructor, check in on their progress, get their questions answered, and network with one another. The “Coffee Hour” sessions are recorded and posted afterward.
Coffee Hour sessions (2025 Fall): TBA
Courses
- Course 1: Life Cycle Assessment and Data Preparation for Clean Liquid Fuels
- October 6-17, 2025
- Course 2: Practical Applications of GHGenius in LCA of Clean Liquid Fuels
- October 20-31, 2025
- Course 3: Life Cycle Assessment of Clean Liquid Fuels using the Fuel LCA Model
- November 3-14, 2025
- Course 4: Life Cycle Assessment of Clean Liquid Fuels using CA-GREET
- November 17-28, 2025
Course 1 is a prerequisite for Courses 2 through 4. Students may take Courses 2–4 in any order after completing Course 1. While the courses build on one another, they may be completed across different offerings within a two-year period to qualify for the micro-certificate.
Completion Requirements
To successfully complete the program, students must complete all assignments and learning activities with an overall grade of 70% or above.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in non-qualification for course and program completion.
Timeline to Completion
Participants have the flexibility to set their own timeline to completion, within a maximum of two years.
IMPORTANT: Students who receive StrongerBC future skills grant funding must complete the program within a single offering.
Course Learning Outcomes
Course 1: Life Cycle Assessment and Clean Liquid Fuels
This course provides essential background on clean liquid fuels and life cycle assessment, preparing participants for the practical modelling modules that follow. It introduces the primary clean fuels used today, along with the elements of LCA most relevant to liquid fuels. The course will also equip learners with the tools needed to select, acquire, and prepare raw industrial data for use in LCA models.
Course Objectives
By completing this two-module course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basics of clean liquid fuels, their types, and their role in emission reduction.
- Learn foundational principles of life cycle assessment (LCA) for environmental impact analysis, with a focus on concepts relevant to liquid fuels.
- Learn how to acquire and prepare the facility and supply data needed for LCA modelling.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this two-module course, participants will be able to:
- Identify key clean liquid fuels and understand their production processes.
- Explain the fundamentals of life cycle assessment (LCA) and its importance for clean fuels.
- Understand the types of data and data sources typically used for LCA modelling.
- Prepare raw data for LCA modelling.
- Prepare for in-depth modelling exercises in the following courses.
Modules
- Introduction to Clean Liquid Fuels: Overview of low carbon fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and SAF, including feedstock sources and production processes
- Environmental Impact of Clean Fuels: How clean fuels contribute to emission reduction and support sustainable energy goals
- Basics of LCA: Core principles and stages of LCA, with a focus on its application in evaluating fuel production and usage
- LCA in Regulatory Contexts: A brief look at clean fuel standards and other relevant regulations, emphasizing the importance of LCA in compliance and industry practices
- Introduction to the concept of a fuel pathway and system boundary
- Basics of the Life Cycle Inventory phase of LCA and the detailed process flow diagram
- Details of data requirements under various regulations (time period, regionality, quality, verifiability, etc.)
- Description of the types of data available (process energy invoices, fuel sales receipts, feedstock supply receipts, etc.)
- Demonstration of how to prepare raw data for LCA modelling
Course 2: Practical Applications of GHGenius in LCA of Liquid Fuels
This course focuses on the GHGenius model, a tool commonly used in Canada for determining the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of liquid fuels. Participants will learn to navigate GHGenius, input relevant data, and calculate carbon intensities in the context of Canadian regulations. Hands-on exercises will enable participants to perform LCAs on various liquid fuels and prepare carbon intensity applications under the BC Low Carbon Fuel Standard (BC-LCFS).
Course Objectives
By completing this course, participants will:
- Gain proficiency in using GHGenius to analyze liquid fuel life cycles.
- Evaluate the carbon intensity of liquid fuels from the GHGenius model.
- Apply GHGenius results for compliance reporting and industry decision-making.
Modules
- Introduction to the GHGenius model structure
- Interactive tutorial on how to conduct an LCA in GHGenius (biodiesel)
- Case study of biodiesel production pathway under a different scenario
Learning Outcomes
- Learn how to navigate GHGenius and understand the model structure
- Ability to model the carbon intensity (CI) of a biodiesel pathway
- Understanding of how to use GHGenius for different scenarios
Learning Activities for Module 3:
- Interactive demo on how to model a biodiesel fuel pathway in GHGenius
- Guided discussion on module content
- Example exercises for learners to practice modelling and solidify understanding with hands-on experience
- Demonstration of modelling in GHGenius for renewable diesel (HDRD) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
- Case study of pathway variation
- Comparison of liquid fuel CI’s under GHGenius
- Interpretation of results and how to submit a Carbon Intensity Approval Application under the BC-LCFS
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to perform an LCA with GHGenius for renewable diesel and SAF
- Understanding of pathway variations that affect modelling and how to handle them
- Ability to apply for a carbon intensity approval under the BC-LCFS
Learning Activities for Module 4
- Interactive demonstration of how to model the renewable diesel/SAF pathway in GHGenius
- Course Assignment of modelling a renewable diesel pathway in GHGenius
- Example exercise: Practice preparing a carbon intensity application under the BC-LCFS
Course 3: Life Cycle Assessment of Liquid Fuels using the Fuel LCA Model
This course provides a comprehensive look at the Canadian Fuel LCA model used for evaluating liquid fuel pathways under the Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR). Participants will learn to apply the Fuel LCA Model to calculate carbon intensity, emissions, and environmental impacts of liquid fuels. The course will include practical exercises and case studies to reinforce model usage and help participants meet regulatory compliance standards.
Course Objectives
By completing this two-module course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and structure of the Fuel LCA model for liquid fuels.
- Input data, navigate the model, and calculate carbon intensities for several liquid fuel pathways.
- Use the Fuel LCA Model results to meet Canadian regulatory requirements.
- Compare the Fuel LCA Model results with other models (GHGenius and CA-GREET) to support policy and industry decisions.
Modules
- An introduction to the Fuel LCA Model structure and requirements under the CFR
- An introduction to the CFR data workbook
- Interactive example of how to conduct an LCA in the Fuel LCA Model (biodiesel)
- Case study for biodiesel under a different scenario
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to use the CFR data workbook
- Ability to use the Fuel LCA Model for a biodiesel pathway
- Understanding of Fuel LCA Model nuances and biodiesel variations under the model
Learning Activities for Module 5:
- Interactive demonstration on how to use the CFR data workbook and the Fuel LCA Model
- Guided discussion on module content
- An interactive example to provide learners with hands-on experience conducting an LCA
- Interactive example of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Fuel LCA Model and CFR data workbook
- Case study of a renewable diesel pathway using a different scenario
- Steps to prepare a carbon intensity application under the CFR
- Comparison of liquid fuel CI’s under GHGenius, Fuel LCA Model, and CA-GREET
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to model a renewable diesel and SAF pathway in the Fuel LCA model
- Understanding of the steps involved to prepare a carbon intensity application under the CFR
- Understanding of the CI differences between GHGenius, the GREET Tier 1 Calculators, and the Fuel LCA model
Learning Activities for Module 6:
- Course assignment on a renewable diesel pathway in the Fuel LCA model with the CFR workbook
- Interactive example exercise of renewable diesel/SAF in the Fuel LCA Model
- Example exercise involving the preparation of a carbon intensity application under the CFR
Course 4: Life Cycle Assessment with CA-GREET for Liquid Fuels
In this course, participants explore the GREET model suite, which is widely used in North America to assess the emissions and energy consumption of fuel production and use. Through GREET, participants will analyze the life cycle impacts of liquid fuels, compare fuel pathways, and understand how to apply for fuel pathway recognition under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
Course Objectives
By completing this two-module course, participants will be able to:
- Navigate the GREET model suite and understand their applications.
- Conduct comparative assessments of liquid fuel pathways using CA-GREET Tier 1 Calculators.
- Prepare a carbon intensity application under the California LCFS.
Modules
- Introduction to the various GREET models (R&D GREET, CA-GREET 3.0, CA-GREET Tier 1 Calculators, 45ZCF-GREET, 40BSAF-GREET, ICAO-GREET)
- Overview of CA-GREET 4.0, the Tier 1 Calculators, and the LCFS look-up table, including when to use each under the California/Oregon/Washington LCFS
- Interactive tutorial demonstration of the Starch and Fiber Ethanol Tier 1 Calculator
- Example of Corn Ethanol under 45ZCF-GREET
- Ethanol case study, modelling with a different scenario
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to use the Starch and Fiber Ethanol Tier 1 Calculator
- Ability to use the 45ZCF-GREET model for a fuel pathway
- Familiarity with the various GREET models and understanding of when to use
- Understanding of pathway variations that affect modelling and how to handle them
Learning Activities for Module 7
- Interactive demonstration on how to use the Tier 1 calculator for starch and fiber corn ethanol
- Example exercise of how to use the 45ZCF-GREET ethanol model
- Supplemental exercises of additional ethanol scenarios
- Guided discussion on module content
- Demonstration of how to use the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tier 1 Calculator (renewable diesel)
- Example of how to model biodiesel rather than renewable diesel with the same dataset in the Tier 1 Calculator
- Comparison of liquid fuel CIs under GREET
- Preparation of a carbon intensity application under the California LCFS
Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to use the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tier 1 Calculator
- Understanding of what factors impact the renewable diesel and biodiesel CI
- Ability to prepare a carbon intensity application under the California LCFS
Learning Activities for Module 8
- Interactive demonstration of how to use the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tier 1 Calculator with case studies
- Interactive example for how to prepare a carbon intensity application under the California LCFS
- Course assignment using the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tier 1 Calculator