5th international conference : workshop - energy
TRANSCRIPT
Power generation
Rules and Tools for wind energy accounting
13th March 2013
Chaired by: Samuel Chapman, Heriot-Watt University
Specific questions from previous workshops
Can we move forward in agreeing on relevant, consistent and accurate studies?
Can we suggest case studies to stakeholders?
Can we agree on methods for systematic carbon accounting and specific technical carbon accounting within our sector?
Agenda
Presentation of Process-based Life Cycle Carbon (and Energy) Study
Presentation of Cost-based Carbon Study Presentation of a hybrid approach to life cycle carbon assessment of offshore wind
Feedback
Case Studies
Other sectors
Conducted through material inventory data and bottom-up detail only
Conducted through aggregated cost data only. Based on UK offshore wind cost data and harmonisation results.
Conducted via a mixture of the two. A hybrid approach
Sensitivities in Wind Power
Which stakeholders present today? Policy makers Academics Environmental managers Environmental consultants Community groups Others?
Carbon Accounting Methods & Guidelines
ISO 14040/44 GHG Protocol Defra Guidelines Carbon Trust
Standard Input-Output Analysis Fuel Mix Disclosure PAS 2050 And more?
MATERIALS EXTRACTION & PROCESSING
MANUFACTURE & ASSEMBLY
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
DECOMMISSIONING & DISPOSALRECYCLING
WASTE
Feedback from 2011 Conference
1.Good case studies available, but need more to cover specific issues
2.Cross-sectoral communication needs to improve
3.Training and education critical4.More links with resource efficiency and other
benefits required
The NREL Harmonisation Project – A basis for more timely carbon accounting.
Aligning carbon assessments for ICARB databases / reference tools
Samuel ChapmanPhD Student. Institute for Infrastructure and EnvironmentHeriot-Watt University
The Issue
1.Understand the huge range of published results of LCAs of electricity generation technologies
2.Reduce the variability in published results
3.Clarify the central tendency of published estimates.
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Published
Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh)
Global Estimates for Onshore Wind
Range of estimates for nuclear
The Method
1.Review of Historic life cycle studies / estimates
2.META-Analysis of chosen estimates
3.Learn from reducing the variation and reviewing studies
gCO2eCapacity factor x 8760 hours/year x lifetime x Nameplate capacity
Life Cycle GHG
Emissions
=
Raw Material Extraction
Materials Manufacture
Component Manufacture
ProductionProcesses
Civil Works
Environmental Disturbance
ConstructionProcesses
Power Generation
MaintenanceOperationalProcesses
Decommissioning
Disposal
DisposalProcesses
Recycling
Vehicle use included within
stage
Transportation
Process Flow
Key
Wind Turbine/Farm Life Cycle
Process Flow
Diagram
gCO2e
These variations in approach, while usually legitimate, hamper comparison across studies and pooling of published results
reduce the uncertaintyincrease the value of the assessments to the policymaking and research communities
As Published (All Values)As Published (All Values)0
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Comparison of central tendency and spread of published GHG emission estimates
Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh) Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh)
Credit: Sathaye, J., O. Lucon, A. Rahman, J. Christensen, F. Denton, J. Fujino, G. Heath, S. Kadner, M. Mirza, H. Rudnick, A. Schlaepfer, A. Shmakin, 2011: Renewable Energy in the Context of Sustainable Energy. In IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation [O. Edenhofer, R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, K. Seyboth, P. Matschoss, S. Kadner, T. Zwickel, P. Eickemeier, G. Hansen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow (eds)], Cambridge University Press. Figure 9.8
Grid and Wind Interaction – Marginal carbon offsets of wind. Lessons from historical data
Are we getting any closer to understanding how to balance and optimise the contributions of different technologies on the grid?
Camilla ThomsonPhD Student, Institute for Energy SystemsUniversity of Edinburgh
ICARB Energy Workshop
Developing a Standard Framework and Providing Accreditation
ICARB: The Initiative for Carbon Accounting
“A group of academics, politicians and consultants working to create a set of transparent, consistent and accurate rules for Carbon Accounting.”
Supported by