Innovative Solutions to Decarbonize Hydrogen Production

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Pitcher ◽  
Martin van 't Hoff ◽  
Narik Basmajian
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Production Solutions ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Abstract The Energy Transition mandates durable long-term solutions for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by addressing future energy needs in terms of generation, storage and utilization. Hydrogen is essential to low-carbon energy solutions, particularly in the "difficult-to-decarbonize" segment of energy markets. Deeply decarbonized, cost-effective hydrogen production solutions are already accessible at industrial scale, for both new plants and for retrofits. For newly built plants we easily arrive at deeply reduced carbon footprints, and KPI's comparable to the most competitive green solutions. Retrofitting existing hydrogen plants to "blue plants" is not only feasible, but is a particularly cost-effective carbon reduction measure. This paper addresses carbon intensity of various hydrogen production routes: ranging from traditional grey hydrogen (itself with proven options for carbon mitigation) through blue hydrogen with various schemes and capture depths, as well as green hydrogen (generally by electrolysis).

Optimal Net-Zero Cost Deep Energy Retrofit of Low-Rise Social Housing Townhouses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubna Al-Tameemi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Energy Retrofit

Whole building optimization retrofits have been performed for two townhouses in four locations with different climates to find both energy efficiency and cost-effective retrofit solutions across a thirty-year time span analysis. The objective is to find deep energy retrofit packages that can be used for large scale social housing retrofit. The multi-objective optimizations aim to achieve the least annualized related costs, lower initial and operational energy related costs and substantial carbon savings by analyzing one natural gas heated option and four electric heated options (baseboard heating system, central air-source heat pump, ductless mini-split heat pump and ground-source heat pump). Results reveal that prescriptive deep energy retrofit solutions achieved between 78% to 100% site energy reductions through building enclosures improvement, upgrades of HVAC and water heating systems, upgrades of appliances and lighting, and the addition of onsite renewable energy generation. Results also indicate that ductless mini-split heat pump (MSHP) optimized model has lower long-term costs and a shorter modified payback period than the optimized gas-heated model at all locations; thus suggesting that heating electrification is cost effective and can reduce the majority of operational GHG emissions of existing housing stock in locations with low carbon intensity electric grid. (834KB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Calc_Lubna/view (284KB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/AnAl_Lubna/view (4 MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/AnHr_Lubna/view (5MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Wind_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Toro_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Thby_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Otta_Lubna/view

scholarly journals Low-carbon energy generates public health savings in California

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 4817-4830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina B. Zapata ◽  
Chris Yang ◽  
Sonia Yeh ◽  
Joan Ogden ◽  
Michael J. Kleeman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Abstract. California's goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a level that is 80 % below 1990 levels by the year 2050 will require adoption of low-carbon energy sources across all economic sectors. In addition to reducing GHG emissions, shifting to fuels with lower carbon intensity will change concentrations of short-lived conventional air pollutants, including airborne particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). Here we evaluate how business-as-usual (BAU) air pollution and public health in California will be transformed in the year 2050 through the adoption of low-carbon technologies, expanded electrification, and modified activity patterns within a low-carbon energy scenario (GHG-Step). Both the BAU and GHG-Step statewide emission scenarios were constructed using the energy–economic optimization model, CA-TIMES, that calculates the multi-sector energy portfolio that meets projected energy supply and demand at the lowest cost, while also satisfying scenario-specific GHG emissions constraints. Corresponding criteria pollutant emissions for each scenario were then spatially allocated at 4 km resolution to support air quality analysis in different regions of the state. Meteorological inputs for the year 2054 were generated under a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 future climate. Annual-average PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were predicted using the modified emissions and meteorology inputs with a regional chemical transport model. In the final phase of the analysis, mortality (total deaths) and mortality rate (deaths per 100 000) were calculated using established exposure-response relationships from air pollution epidemiology combined with simulated annual-average PM2.5 and O3 exposure. Net emissions reductions across all sectors are −36 % for PM0.1 mass, −3.6 % for PM2.5 mass, −10.6 % for PM2.5 elemental carbon, −13.3 % for PM2.5 organic carbon, −13.7 % for NOx, and −27.5 % for NH3. Predicted deaths associated with air pollution in 2050 dropped by 24–26 % in California (1537–2758 avoided deaths yr−1) in the climate-friendly 2050 GHG-Step scenario, which is equivalent to a 54–56 % reduction in the air pollution mortality rate (deaths per 100 000) relative to 2010 levels. These avoided deaths have an estimated value of USD 11.4–20.4 billion yr−1 based on the present-day value of a statistical life (VSL) equal to USD 7.6 million. The costs for reducing California GHG emissions 80 % below 1990 levels by the year 2050 depend strongly on numerous external factors such as the global price of oil. Best estimates suggest that meeting an intermediate target (40 % reduction in GHG emissions by the year 2030) using a non-optimized scenario would reduce personal income by USD 4.95 billion yr−1 (−0.15 %) and lower overall state gross domestic product by USD 16.1 billion yr−1 (−0.45 %). The public health benefits described here are comparable to these cost estimates, making a compelling argument for the adoption of low-carbon energy in California, with implications for other regions in the United States and across the world.

Optimal Net-Zero Cost Deep Energy Retrofit of Low-Rise Social Housing Townhouses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubna Al-Tameemi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Energy Retrofit

Whole building optimization retrofits have been performed for two townhouses in four locations with different climates to find both energy efficiency and cost-effective retrofit solutions across a thirty-year time span analysis. The objective is to find deep energy retrofit packages that can be used for large scale social housing retrofit. The multi-objective optimizations aim to achieve the least annualized related costs, lower initial and operational energy related costs and substantial carbon savings by analyzing one natural gas heated option and four electric heated options (baseboard heating system, central air-source heat pump, ductless mini-split heat pump and ground-source heat pump). Results reveal that prescriptive deep energy retrofit solutions achieved between 78% to 100% site energy reductions through building enclosures improvement, upgrades of HVAC and water heating systems, upgrades of appliances and lighting, and the addition of onsite renewable energy generation. Results also indicate that ductless mini-split heat pump (MSHP) optimized model has lower long-term costs and a shorter modified payback period than the optimized gas-heated model at all locations; thus suggesting that heating electrification is cost effective and can reduce the majority of operational GHG emissions of existing housing stock in locations with low carbon intensity electric grid. (834KB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Calc_Lubna/view (284KB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/AnAl_Lubna/view (4 MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/AnHr_Lubna/view (5MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Wind_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Toro_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Thby_Lubna/view (6MB) https://digital.library.ryerson.ca/islandora/object/RULA:8613/datastream/Otta_Lubna/view

scholarly journals Low Carbon Energy Generates Public Health Savings in California

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina B. Zapata ◽  
Chris Yang ◽  
Sonia Yeh ◽  
Joan Ogden ◽  
Michael J. Kleeman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Annual Average ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Abstract. California's goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 % below 1990 levels by the year 2050 will require adoption of low carbon energy sources across all economic sectors. In addition to reducing GHG emissions, shifting to fuels with lower carbon intensity will change concentrations of short-lived conventional air pollutants, including airborne particles with diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). Here we evaluate how business-as-usual (BAU) air pollution and public health in California will be transformed in the year 2050 through the adoption of low-carbon technologies, expanded electrification, and modified activity patterns within a low carbon energy scenario (GHG-Step). Both the BAU and GHG-Step state-wide emission scenarios were constructed using the energy-economic optimization model, CA-TIMES, that calculates the multi-sector energy portfolio that meets projected energy supply and demand at the lowest cost, while also satisfying scenario-specific GHG emissions constraints. Corresponding criteria pollutant emissions for each scenario were then spatially allocated at 4 km resolution to support air quality analysis in different regions of the state. Meteorological inputs for the year 2054 were generated under a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 future climate. Annual-average PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were predicted using the modified emissions and meteorology inputs with a regional chemical transport model. In the final phase of the analysis, mortality (total deaths) and mortality rate (deaths per 100 000) were calculated using established exposure-response relationships from air pollution epidemiology combined with simulated annual-average PM2.5 and O3 exposure. Predicted deaths associated with air pollution in 2050 dropped by 24 %–26 % in California (1537–2758 avoided deaths yr−1) in the climate-friendly 2050 GHG-Step scenario, which is equivalent to a 54 %–56 % reduction in the air pollution mortality rate (deaths per 100 000) relative to 2010 levels. These avoided deaths have an estimated value of $ 11.4 B–$ 20.4 B USD per yr−1 based on the present-day Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) equal to $ 7.6 M. The costs for reducing California GHG emissions 80 % below 1990 levels by the year 2050 depend strongly on numerous external factors such as the global price of oil. Best estimates suggest that meeting an intermediate target (40 % reduction in GHG emissions by the year 2030) using a non-optimized scenario would reduce personal income by $ 4.95 B yr−1 (−0.15 %) and lower overall state GDP by $ 16.1 B yr−1 (−0.45 %). The public health benefits described here are comparable to these cost estimates, making a compelling argument for the adoption of low carbon energy in California, with implications for other regions in the United States and across the world.

Is the service industry really low-carbon? Energy, jobs and realistic country GHG emissions reductions

2021 ◽  
Vol 292 ◽  
pp. 116878
Author(s):  
Simon H. Roberts ◽  
Barney D. Foran ◽  
Colin J. Axon ◽  
Alice V. Stamp
Keyword(s):  
Service Industry ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

scholarly journals LEAP-Based Greenhouse Gases Emissions Peak and Low Carbon Pathways in China’s Tourist Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1218
Author(s):  
Dandan Liu ◽  
Dewei Yang ◽  
Anmin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Tourist Industry ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Reduction ◽  
Co2 Equivalent

China has grown into the world’s largest tourist source market and its huge tourism activities and resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are particularly becoming a concern in the context of global climate warming. To depict the trajectory of carbon emissions, a long-range energy alternatives planning system (LEAP)-Tourist model, consisting of two scenarios and four sub-scenarios, was established for observing and predicting tourism greenhouse gas peaks in China from 2017 to 2040. The results indicate that GHG emissions will peak at 1048.01 million-ton CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2e) in 2033 under the integrated (INT) scenario. Compared with the business as usual (BAU) scenario, INT will save energy by 24.21% in 2040 and reduce energy intensity from 0.4979 tons of CO2 equivalent/104 yuan (TCO2e/104 yuan) to 0.3761 Tce/104 yuan. Although the INT scenario has achieved promising effects of energy saving and carbon reduction, the peak year 2033 in the tourist industry is still later than China’s expected peak year of 2030. This is due to the growth potential and moderate carbon control measures in the tourist industry. Thus, in order to keep the tourist industry in synchronization with China’s peak goals, more stringent measures are needed, e.g., the promotion of clean fuel shuttle buses, the encouragement of low carbon tours, the cancelation of disposable toiletries and the recycling of garbage resources. The results of this simulation study will help set GHG emission peak targets in the tourist industry and formulate a low carbon roadmap to guide carbon reduction actions in the field of GHG emissions with greater certainty.

Lessons for low-carbon energy transition: Experience from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binu Parthan ◽  
Marianne Osterkorn ◽  
Matthew Kennedy ◽  
St. John Hoskyns ◽  
Morgan Bazilian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Transition Experience ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Primary Energy System Chain Security Under the Energy Transition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamah Alsayegh
Keyword(s):  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
System Security ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

Abstract This paper examines the energy transition consequences on the oil and gas energy system chain as it propagates from net importing through the transit to the net exporting countries (or regions). The fundamental energy system security concerns of importing, transit, and exporting regions are analyzed under the low carbon energy transition dynamics. The analysis is evidence-based on diversification of energy sources, energy supply and demand evolution, and energy demand management development. The analysis results imply that the energy system is going through technological and logistical reallocation of primary energy. The manifestation of such reallocation includes an increase in electrification, the rise of energy carrier options, and clean technologies. Under healthy and normal global economic growth, the reallocation mentioned above would have a mild effect on curbing the oil and gas primary energy demands growth. A case study concerning electric vehicles, which is part of the energy transition aspect, is presented to assess its impact on the energy system, precisely on the fossil fuel demand. Results show that electric vehicles are indirectly fueled, mainly from fossil-fired power stations through electric grids. Moreover, oil byproducts use in the electric vehicle industry confirms the reallocation of the energy system components' roles. The paper's contribution to the literature is the portrayal of the energy system security state under the low carbon energy transition. The significance of this representation is to shed light on the concerns of the net exporting, transit, and net importing regions under such evolution. Subsequently, it facilitates the development of measures toward mitigating world tensions and conflicts, enhancing the global socio-economic wellbeing, and preventing corruption.

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