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Carbon dioxide emissions from geothermal power plants

Author

Listed:
  • O'Sullivan, Michael
  • Gravatt, Michael
  • Popineau, Joris
  • O'Sullivan, John
  • Mannington, Warren
  • McDowell, Julian

Abstract

Geothermal is commonly considered to be a clean, green energy source but it does produce some greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2. The amount of CO2 is usually measured as an emission intensity of kg of CO2 emitted per MWh of electricity produced. However, the quantity that is measured for the calculation of emission intensity is the waste CO2 in the separated steam that feeds the power plant. In terms of total CO2 emissions this is only part of the picture as there is a natural outflow of CO2 into the atmosphere at most geothermal systems and this natural outflow is affected by the operation of a power plant. The correct measure of CO2 emissions is the extra CO2 output resulting from the operation of the power plant.

Suggested Citation

  • O'Sullivan, Michael & Gravatt, Michael & Popineau, Joris & O'Sullivan, John & Mannington, Warren & McDowell, Julian, 2021. "Carbon dioxide emissions from geothermal power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 990-1000.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:175:y:2021:i:c:p:990-1000
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aksoy, Niyazi, 2014. "Power generation from geothermal resources in Turkey," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 595-601.
    2. Bayer, Peter & Rybach, Ladislaus & Blum, Philipp & Brauchler, Ralf, 2013. "Review on life cycle environmental effects of geothermal power generation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 446-463.
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    2. Wang, Qinggang & Ming, Tingzhen & Chen, Qiong & Wu, Yongjia, 2024. "A novel TLFD-GA algorithm for multi-objectives optimization of ORC power plants with the effect of pressure drop considered," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    3. McClean, A. & Pedersen, O.W., 2023. "The role of regulation in geothermal energy in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Patrick Moriarty & Damon Honnery, 2023. "Are Energy Reductions Compatible with Economic Growth?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
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    6. Gkousis, Spiros & Welkenhuysen, Kris & Compernolle, Tine, 2022. "Deep geothermal energy extraction, a review on environmental hotspots with focus on geo-technical site conditions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    7. Patrick Moriarty & Damon Honnery, 2023. "Review: The Energy Implications of Averting Climate Change Catastrophe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-16, August.

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