Matrix-Based Model of the Carbon Footprint Analysis for Thermal Power Generation in China

Abstract:

With the increasing seriousness of climate change problem, carbon footprint has become a very useful method to measure carbon emissions and has been widely accepted. In modern industry, electricity is almost consumed in all industry processes, and electricity is the first "footprint" of most products. As carbon emissions is always measured by theoretical estimation from input inventory but not experimental data, the input inventory of electricity generation becomes very important in carbon footprint analysis. Electricity generation is a very complex process, where all input items inter-dependant on each other and the whole system is an infinite cycle net. But in the traditional calculation model of input inventory, the interaction effect of production system is usually neglected. The major work of this study is to make clear the carbon emissions of provision 1kWh thermal power generation to consumers in China in 2006, since thermal power generation takes the most proportion of Chinese electricity. This study used a matrix-based model which includes interaction effect of the system to calculate the input inventory of electricity generation, and then the carbon emissions of thermal electricity generation in China in 2006 can be calculated. The final result of this paper can be used in carbon footprint, Life Cycle Assessment or some other related fields.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 685)
• Pages: 230-238
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.685.230
• Online since: June 2011
• Authors: Bo Xue Sun, Xian Zheng Gong, Yu Liu, Wen Juan Chen, Zhi Hong Wang
• Keywords: Carbon Footprint, Matrix, Thermal Power Generation

References

[1] T. Wiedmann, J. Minx. A Definition of Carbon Footprint,. In: C. C. Pertsova, Ecological Economics Research Trends: Chapter 1, pp.1-11, Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge NY, USA. (2008).

[2] UK Carbon Trust. Carbon Footprint: An introduction for organizations. UK: Carbon Trust. (2008).

[3] European Commission. CARBON FOOTPRINT-what it is and how to measure it. http: /lca. jrc. ec. europa. eu/Carbon_footprint. pdf, (2007).

[4] ETAP. The Carbon Trust Helps UK Businesses Reduce their Environmental Impact. http: /ec. europa. eu/environment/etap/pdfs/jan07_carbon_trust_initiative. pdf, (2007).

[5] M. Finkbeiner. Carbon footprint—opportunities and threats. Int J LCA. 2009, 14(2): 91-94.

[6] E. Johnson. Charocal versus LPG grilling: A carbon-footprint comparison. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 2009, 29(6): 370-378.

DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2009.02.004

[7] D. Giurco, J.G. Petrie. Strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of copper: New technologies, more recycling or demand management? Minerals Engineering. 2007, 20(9): 42-853.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2007.04.014

[8] E. Johnson. Disagreement over carbon footprints: A comparison of electric and LPG forklifts. 2008, 36(4): 1569-1573.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2008.01.014

[9] B. Welch, M. Iffert, M. Skyllas Kazacos. Applying fundamental data to reduce the carbon dioxide footprint of aluminum smelters. Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. 2008, 60(11): 17-24.

DOI: 10.1007/s11837-008-0141-9

[10] British Standards Institution. PAS 2050 Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services. British Standards Institution, (2008).

[11] Chinese editorial committee of Electricity Yearbook of China. Electricity Yearbook of China 2007. Beijing: China Electric Press. (2007).

[12] A. Rafaschieri, M. Rapaccini, G. Manfrida. Life Cycle Assessment of electricity production from poplar energy crops compared with conventional fossil fuels. Energy Convers Manage. 1999, 40(14): 1477–1493.

DOI: 10.1016/s0196-8904(99)00076-x

[13] A. Dubreuil. Inventory for Energy Production in Canada. Int J LCA. 2001, 6(5): 281–284.

[14] L. Coltro, E.C.E. García, G.C. Queiroz. Life cycle inventory for electric energy system in Brazil. Int J LCA 2003, 8(5): 290–296.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02978921

[15] K.M. Lee, S.Y. Lee, T. Hur. Life cycle inventory analysis for electricity in Korea. Energy. 2004, 29(1): 87–101.

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2003.08.007

[16] M.A. Curran, M. Mann, G. Norris. The international workshop on electricity data for life cycle inventories. J Clean Prod. 2005: 13(8): 853–862.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2002.03.001

[17] C.W. Babbitt, A.S. Lindner. A life cycle inventory of coal used for electricity production in Florida. J Clean Prod. 2005, 13(9): 903–912.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.04.007

[18] X.H. Di, Z.R. Nie, B.R. Yuan, et al. Life cycle inventory for thermal electricity generation in China. Int J LCA. 2007, 12(4): 217-224.

DOI: 10.1065/lca2007.05.331

[19] Y. Mastuno, M. Betz. Development of Life Cycle Inventories for Electricity Grid Mixes in Japan. Int J LCA. 2002, 5(5): 294-305.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02977583

[20] Department of Industry and Transport Statistics, National Development and Reform Commission. China Energy Statistical yearbook 2007. Beijing: China Statistics Press. (2007).

[21] X.H. Di. Several Fundamental Researches in The Life Cycle Assessment for Mineral Resources and Materials. Doctoral Dissertation of Beijing University of Technology.

[22] Z.X. Wu, W.Y. Chen. The diversified clean energy resources strategies with coal as the backbone. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. (2000).

[23] IPCC/OECD. Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Reference Manual. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Bracknell, U. K, (1997).