Life Cycle Analysis of Natural Gas Extraction and Power Generation

Purpose India is a developing economy along with an increasing population estimated to be the largest populated country in about seven years. Simultaneously, its power consumption is projected to increase more than double by 2020. Currently, the dependence on coal is relatively high, making it the largest global greenhouse gas emitting sector which is a matter of great concern. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the natural gas electricity generation in India and propose a model using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Design/methodology/approach LCA is used as a tool to evaluate the environmental impact of the natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant, as it adopts a holistic approach towards the whole process. The LCA methodology used in this study follows the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards (ISO 14040: 2009; ISO 14044: 2009). A questionnaire was designed for data collection and validated by expert review primary data for the annual environmental emission was collected by personally visiting the power plant. The study follows a cradle to gate assessment using the CML (2001) methodology. Findings The analysis reveals that the main impacts were during the process of combustion. The Global warming potential is approximately 0.50 kg CO2 equivalents per kWh of electricity generation from this gas-based power plant. These results can be used by stakeholders, experts and members who are authorised to probe positive initiative for the reduction of environmental impacts from the power generation sector. Practical implications Considering the pace of growth of economic development of India, it is the need of the hour to emphasise on the patterns of sustainable energy generation which is an important subject to be addressed considering India’s ratification to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. This paper analyzes the environmental impacts of gas-based electricity generation. Originality/value Presenting this case study is an opportunity to get a glimpse of the challenges associated with gas-based electricity generation in India. It gives a direction and helps us to better understand the right spot which require efforts for the improvement of sustainable energy generation processes, by taking appropriate measures for emission reduction. This paper also proposes a model for gas-based electricity generation in India. It has been developed following an LCA approach. As far as we aware, this is the first study which proposes an LCA model for gas-based electricity generation in India. The model is developed in line with the LCA methodology and focusses on the impact categories specific for gas-based electricity generation.

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Investigation of Land Subsidence in Eastern Thrace (Turkey) using Multi Temporal InSAR

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-11343 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tohid Nozadkhalil ◽

Semih Ergintav ◽

Ziyadin Cakir ◽

Ugur Dogan ◽

Thomas R. Walter

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Ground Motion ◽

Deformation Source ◽

Seismic Gap ◽

Marmara Region ◽

Marmara Sea ◽

Gas Extraction ◽

Triangular Elements ◽

Natural Gas Extraction ◽

Thrace Region

<p>Westward migration of M>7 earthquakes along North Anatolian fault with the latest one, Izmit 1999 event, led focus of studies to the seismic gap in the main Marmara fault. For this purpose, the coastal ranges of the Marmara Sea, mainly Istanbul megacity, are renowned for earthquake and ground motion hazards, associated with faulting, landslides and sediment compaction processes. Ground motion associated with man-made activities, however, have been barely studied. The Thrace region of Turkey, some 50 km to the North of the Marmara Sea, expresses pronounced ground motions affecting large areas. We use the Persistent InSAR technique to monitor the Marmara region using Sentinel-1 satellites&#8217; TOPSAR data between 2014 and 2020. Results for both ascending (T131 and T58) and descending (T36) tracks reveals 10 mm/yr rate of subsidence in the Thrace region of Turkey, affecting an area ~15400km&#178; with dimensions of ~110 km by ~140 km. There are two plausible mechanisms for this deformation; (1) excessive pumping of groundwater for agricultural purposes, or (2) natural gas extraction activities taking place in the region. To better understand the observed deformation source, as a first step, we model potential gas extraction by volume change. No piezometric data are available for this region for the time being. Thick sediments including sandstone, reefal carbonates, amongst others, are aimed for gas exploration in the Thrace basin for more than half century. Depth of gas extraction wells and sediment thickness is compiled from previous studies to compare the subsided area with sediment and well depth variations.&#160;</p><p>We use&#160; the Poly3D boundary element method to model the surface. Poly3D uses planar triangular elements of constant model to model displacement&#8217;s source. Using triangular elements provides models with complex and smooth 3D surfaces avoiding overlaps or gaps, and hence allowing one to construct realistic models. Poly3dinv inverse model applies a fast non-negative/non-positive least squares solver to optimize the solution. We construct a surface enveloping tips of the wells and use it to produce deformation at surface due by allowing opening on it. Small residuals between the observation and model based on opening suggests that deformation is likely caused by natural gas extraction.</p>

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Natural gas-Environmental impact: Air-quality impacts from natural gas extraction and combustion

Natural Gas & Electricity ◽

10.1002/gas.21643 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 8-11

Author(s):

Stephanie Shaw

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Gas Extraction ◽

Natural Gas Extraction

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