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How much CO2 emissions do we reduce by saving electricity? A focus on methods

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  • Harmsen, Robert
  • Graus, Wina

Abstract

In this paper we evaluate two approaches for estimating CO2 emission reduction from electricity savings: one based on average CO2 intensities of electricity generation and another that relies on marginal CO2 intensities.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:60:y:2013:i:c:p:803-812
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.05.059
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    5. 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.
    6. Leurent, Martin & Da Costa, Pascal & Jasserand, Frédéric & Rämä, Miika & Persson, Urban, 2018. "Cost and climate savings through nuclear district heating in a French urban area," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 616-630.
    7. Smit, Tycho A.B. & Hu, Jing & Harmsen, Robert, 2014. "Unravelling projected energy savings in 2020 of EU Member States using decomposition analyses," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 271-285.
    8. de la Rue du Can, Stephane & Price, Lynn & Zwickel, Timm, 2015. "Understanding the full climate change impact of energy consumption and mitigation at the end-use level: A proposed methodology for allocating indirect carbon dioxide emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 548-559.
    9. Levihn, Fabian, 2014. "CO2 emissions accounting: Whether, how, and when different allocation methods should be used," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 811-818.
    10. Chaparro, Iván & Watts, David & Gil, Esteban, 2017. "Modeling marginal CO2 emissions in hydrothermal systems: Efficient carbon signals for renewables," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 318-331.
    11. Xiaocun Zhang & Qiwen Zhu & Xueqi Zhang, 2023. "Carbon Emission Intensity of Final Electricity Consumption: Assessment and Decomposition of Regional Power Grids in China from 2005 to 2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, June.
    12. Fleschutz, Markus & Bohlayer, Markus & Braun, Marco & Henze, Gregor & Murphy, Michael D., 2021. "The effect of price-based demand response on carbon emissions in European electricity markets: The importance of adequate carbon prices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).

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