## 4 Life Cycle Inventory Results
### Palm-Oil-Based Electricity Production Inventory
#### 4.1.1 Agricultural Phase  
The input data of materials and energy required to produce 1 t of palm oil fresh fruit bunches (FFB) (the unit output in this phase) were addressed. The cultivation stage includes all agricultural activities dedicated to the production of immature/mature plants. The selection of the agricultural area for this case study was supported by the Palm Oil Improvement Unit of the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Ecuador (INIAP, by its acronym in Spanish). The area is located at latitude: 0\({}^{\circ}\)11\({}^{\prime}\)22.79\({}^{\circ}\) S, longitude: 79\({}^{\circ}\)12\({}^{\prime}\)8.62\({}^{\prime}\) W and represents the typical palm oil agricultural systems of Esmeraldas province, one of the largest producers in Ecuador. The data collected were the result of field visits and experts' criteria. The yield was defined as an average obtained from field research and statistics developed by INIAP [64]. Regarding land-use change, although palm oil cultivation is linked to deforestation mainly in the Amazonian region of Ecuador [65], the selected productive zone does not present this pattern because it has been under production for 60 years, while the studied crops have an average age of 12 years. Therefore, no land-use changes were attributed in this study.  
It must be mentioned that the selected plantations have a better production yield when compared to the national average due to the application of best agricultural practices recommended by the research center [64]. Information regarding fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, machinery use, and input transportation was collected during visits.  
The average agricultural conditions of the productive units studied are shown in Table 3.  
Average yearly yields, as well as inventory data of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and energy usage during plantation and harvesting, were collected in situ. Adjustments were made using recommendation charts developed by INIAP [64].  
Fertilizers: The total amount of applied fertilizers in the studied plantations was calculated for 25 years as the productive period of the crop. Manure-based fertilization in palm oil crops is not a common practice in Ecuador; hence, it was not included in the study.  
Herbicides, pesticides: Data on herbicides and pesticide used per FFB t produced in Ecuador were compiled during site visits; adjustments were made by INIAP.  
Energy: In terms of energy consumption, one source was identified: gasoline used on agricultural machinery (a motorized bush cutter).  
Transport: The transportation of agricultural inputs from the warehouse to the plantation in EURO 1, 10 t capacity trucks was included using ton-kilometer (tkm) units.  
Emissions at the Agricultural Phase  
The emission outputs analyzed in this part of the study were emissions to air, water, and soil which occurred during the agricultural production of 1 FFB ton.  
Emissions derived from the use of fertilizers were determined using methodologies and models developed by the authors of [66; 67; 68; 69; 70]. The Pest LCI2.0.8 model was used for determining pesticide emissions to soil, air, and water [71]. Heavy metal emissions were calculated using the models and methodologies developed by the authors of [72; 73] and [74]. Emissions from fertilizer production and pesticides used in the plantation were determined using the Ecoinvent database [75].  
Inputs were assigned for 1 t of FFB (Table 4). Finally, the values were processed in Simpapro 9.0.0.3 software considering their origination and end: nature or technosphere.