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Efficiency versus System Synergism: An Advanced Life Cycle Assessment for a Novel Decarbonized Grid System Innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Shukai Liu

    (Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510080, China)

  • Liang Dong

    (Department of Public Policy, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
    School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Ling Han

    (College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Jiajia Huan

    (Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510080, China)

  • Baihao Qiao

    (Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China)

Abstract

The power sector plays a significant role in carbon neutrality strategies, and the grid system is a crucial part of the power sector. In particular, with less mitigation potential from technology efficiency, the credit from whole life cycles is critical. This paper describes the investigation of the environmental impacts of various scenarios from the perspective of life cycles. By using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, various grid systems are examined as a case study, including a traditional, renewable energy, and power storage grid system, as well as a microgrid, in Guangdong. The results highlight the fact that with the systematic improvement of a grid, significant environmental benefits can be achieved. For a grid system, optimization through technology has significant carbon reduction effects even if the power grid structure is not changed. Using renewable energy instead of traditional fuel can reduce the emission of 0.05 kg of CO 2 -equivalent greenhouse gas per 1 kWh of electricity produced, which is 7.9% of the baseline, and microgrid technology leads to a much greater carbon reduction potential of 23.8% of the baseline. The role of energy storage is undervalued due to the limitations of the data.

Suggested Citation

  • Shukai Liu & Liang Dong & Ling Han & Jiajia Huan & Baihao Qiao, 2022. "Efficiency versus System Synergism: An Advanced Life Cycle Assessment for a Novel Decarbonized Grid System Innovation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:12:p:4214-:d:833793
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    References listed on IDEAS

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