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Methods for calculating CO2 intensity of power generation and consumption: A global perspective

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  • Graus, Wina
  • Worrell, Ernst

Abstract

This paper compares five methods to calculate CO2 intensity (g/kWh) of power generation, based on different ways to take into account combined heat and power generation. It was found that the method chosen can have a large impact on the CO2 intensity for countries with relatively large amounts of combined heat and power plants. Of the analysed countries, the difference in CO2 intensities is found to be especially large for Russia, Germany and Italy (82%, 31% and 20% differences in 2007, respectively, for CO2 intensity of total power generation). This study furthermore shows that by taking into account transmission and distribution losses and auxiliary power use, CO2 intensity for electricity consumption is 8-44% higher for the analysed countries than the CO2 intensity for electricity generation, with 15% as global average, in 2007. CO2 emissions from power generation can be reduced by implementing best practice technology for fossil power generation. This paper estimates a potential of 18-44% savings, with 29% as global average. An additional potential is expected to exist for reducing transmission and distribution losses, which range from 4% to 25% of power generation in 2006, for the analysed countries, with 9% as global average.

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  • Graus, Wina & Worrell, Ernst, 2011. "Methods for calculating CO2 intensity of power generation and consumption: A global perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 613-627, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:39:y:2011:i:2:p:613-627
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    2. da Silva, Julio Augusto Mendes & Santos, José Joaquim Conceição Soares & Carvalho, Monica & de Oliveira, Silvio, 2017. "On the thermoeconomic and LCA methods for waste and fuel allocation in multiproduct systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 775-785.
    3. Holmberg, Henrik & Tuomaala, Mari & Haikonen, Turo & Ahtila, Pekka, 2012. "Allocation of fuel costs and CO2-emissions to heat and power in an industrial CHP plant: Case integrated pulp and paper mill," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 614-623.
    4. Dardan Klimenta & Marija Mihajlović & Ivan Ristić & Darius Andriukaitis, 2022. "Possible Scenarios for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Serbia by Generating Electricity from Natural Gas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-33, June.
    5. Soimakallio, Sampo & Saikku, Laura, 2012. "CO2 emissions attributed to annual average electricity consumption in OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 13-20.
    6. Arvesen, Anders & Hauan, Ingrid Bjerke & Bolsøy, Bernhard Mikal & Hertwich, Edgar G., 2015. "Life cycle assessment of transport of electricity via different voltage levels: A case study for Nord-Trøndelag county in Norway," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 144-151.
    7. Soimakallio, Sampo & Kiviluoma, Juha & Saikku, Laura, 2011. "The complexity and challenges of determining GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from grid electricity consumption and conservation in LCA (life cycle assessment) – A methodological review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 6705-6713.
    8. Yue, Hui & Worrell, Ernst & Crijns-Graus, Wina, 2018. "Modeling the multiple benefits of electricity savings for emissions reduction on power grid level: A case study of China’s chemical industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 1603-1632.
    9. Lin, Boqiang & Moubarak, Mohamed, 2014. "Mitigation potential of carbon dioxide emissions in the Chinese textile industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 781-787.
    10. dos Santos, Rodrigo G. & de Faria, Pedro R. & Santos, José J.C.S. & da Silva, Julio A.M. & Flórez-Orrego, Daniel, 2016. "Thermoeconomic modeling for CO2 allocation in steam and gas turbine cogeneration systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 117(P2), pages 590-603.
    11. Harmsen, Robert & Crijns-Graus, Wina, 2021. "Unhiding the role of CHP in power & heat sector decomposition analyses," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    12. Klaassen, R.E. & Patel, M.K., 2013. "District heating in the Netherlands today: A techno-economic assessment for NGCC-CHP (Natural Gas Combined Cycle combined heat and power)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 63-73.
    13. Monni, S. & Syri, S., 2011. "Weekly greenhouse gas emissions of municipalities: Methods and comparisons," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(9), pages 4755-4765, September.
    14. Harmsen, Robert & Graus, Wina, 2013. "How much CO2 emissions do we reduce by saving electricity? A focus on methods," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 803-812.

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    Keywords

    CO2 intensity Fossil power generation Energy efficiency;

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