scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Low-Rank Coal Utilization for Power Generation and Energy Transportation

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 2365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan ◽  
Xu
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Low Rank ◽  
Western China ◽  
Pollutant Emission ◽  
Low Rank Coal ◽  
Energy Transmission

In China, the electricity load is concentrated in the east, but low-rank coal resources are concentrated in the west. To solve this contradiction, in this study, three cases for energy transmission about power system with and without solar energy were studied by life cycle assessment (LCA). Case 1 directly combusts low-rank coal to generate electricity in western China and transmits it to eastern China by grid. Cases 2 and 3 upgrade low-rank coal and transport it to eastern China for power generation. With the evaluating indicators and various stages of LCA, the impact of each case on the environment was compared clearly. The results show that over 90% of the pollutant emission comes from coal combustion throughout the life cycle. The pollutant emission of upgraded coal transportation is less than 5%. With low-rank coal upgrading then combusting, the total emission is less than that of direct combustion. In particular, with solar energy added, the emission of combustion can be further reduced. On the bases of LCA, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to establish the connection of these four evaluation indicators to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the three cases through the objective function of AHP, which provided guidance for the energy transmission and utilization in the eastern and western China. Finally, sensitive analysis shows the main major factors affecting system performance on the system. The results show that the Case 3, which integrates with solar energy, performs best in the whole life scale.

A novel solar energy integrated low-rank coal fired power generation using coal pre-drying and an absorption heat pump

2017 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Xu ◽  
Pu Bai ◽  
Tuantuan Xin ◽  
Yue Hu ◽  
Gang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Low Rank ◽  
Low Rank Coal ◽  
Absorption Heat Pump

Energy Analysis of Low-Rank Coal Pre-Drying Power Generation Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1194-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangjian Hu ◽  
Chengbo Man ◽  
Xuezhong Gao ◽  
Jianwen Zhang ◽  
Xueyuan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Low Rank ◽  
Low Rank Coal ◽  
Power Generation Systems

Sustainability assessment of gas based power generation using a life cycle assessment approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binita Shah ◽  
Seema Unnikrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Lca Methodology ◽  
Iso 14040 ◽  
Content Type

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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