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The Potential Role of Flexibility During Peak Hours on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Life Cycle Assessment of Five Targeted National Electricity Grid Mixes

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  • Ingrid Munné-Collado

    (Centre d’Innovació Tecnològica en Convertidors Estàtics i Accionaments (CITCEA-UPC), Departament d’Enginyeria Elèctrica. ETS d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, 647, Pl.2, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Fabio Maria Aprà

    (Centre d’Innovació Tecnològica en Convertidors Estàtics i Accionaments (CITCEA-UPC), Departament d’Enginyeria Elèctrica. ETS d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, 647, Pl.2, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Pol Olivella-Rosell

    (Centre d’Innovació Tecnològica en Convertidors Estàtics i Accionaments (CITCEA-UPC), Departament d’Enginyeria Elèctrica. ETS d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, 647, Pl.2, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Roberto Villafáfila-Robles

    (Centre d’Innovació Tecnològica en Convertidors Estàtics i Accionaments (CITCEA-UPC), Departament d’Enginyeria Elèctrica. ETS d’Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, 647, Pl.2, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

On the path towards the decarbonization of the electricity supply, flexibility and demand response have become key factors to enhance the integration of distributed energy resources, shifting the consumption from peak hours to off-peak hours, optimizing the grid usage and maximizing the share of renewables. Despite the technical viability of flexible services, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has not been proven. Traditionally, emissions are calculated on a yearly average timescale, not providing any information about peak hours’ environmental impact. Furthermore, peak-hours’ environmental impacts are not always greater than on the base load, depending on the resources used for those time periods. This paper formulates a general methodology to assess the potential environmental impact of peak-hourly generation profiles, through attributional life cycle assessment. This methodology was applied to five different countries under the INVADE H2020 Project. Evaluation results demonstrate that countries like Spain and Bulgaria could benefit from implementing demand response activities considering environmental aspects, enhancing potential greenhouse gas reductions by up to 21% in peak hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingrid Munné-Collado & Fabio Maria Aprà & Pol Olivella-Rosell & Roberto Villafáfila-Robles, 2019. "The Potential Role of Flexibility During Peak Hours on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Life Cycle Assessment of Five Targeted National Electricity Grid Mixes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:23:p:4443-:d:289823
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    4. Hamels, Sam & Himpe, Eline & Laverge, Jelle & Delghust, Marc & Van den Brande, Kjartan & Janssens, Arnold & Albrecht, Johan, 2021. "The use of primary energy factors and CO2 intensities for electricity in the European context - A systematic methodological review and critical evaluation of the contemporary literature," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
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    8. 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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