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Understanding future emissions from low-carbon power systems by integration of life-cycle assessment and integrated energy modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Michaja Pehl

    (Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research)

  • Anders Arvesen

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU))

  • Florian Humpenöder

    (Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research)

  • Alexander Popp

    (Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research)

  • Edgar G. Hertwich

    (Yale School for Forestry and Environmental Studies)

  • Gunnar Luderer

    (Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research)

Abstract

Both fossil-fuel and non-fossil-fuel power technologies induce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to their embodied energy requirements for construction and operation, and upstream CH4 emissions. Here, we integrate prospective life-cycle assessment with global integrated energy–economy–land-use–climate modelling to explore life-cycle emissions of future low-carbon power supply systems and implications for technology choice. Future per-unit life-cycle emissions differ substantially across technologies. For a climate protection scenario, we project life-cycle emissions from fossil fuel carbon capture and sequestration plants of 78–110 gCO2eq kWh−1, compared with 3.5–12 gCO2eq kWh−1 for nuclear, wind and solar power for 2050. Life-cycle emissions from hydropower and bioenergy are substantial (∼100 gCO2eq kWh−1), but highly uncertain. We find that cumulative emissions attributable to upscaling low-carbon power other than hydropower are small compared with direct sectoral fossil fuel emissions and the total carbon budget. Fully considering life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions has only modest effects on the scale and structure of power production in cost-optimal mitigation scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Michaja Pehl & Anders Arvesen & Florian Humpenöder & Alexander Popp & Edgar G. Hertwich & Gunnar Luderer, 2017. "Understanding future emissions from low-carbon power systems by integration of life-cycle assessment and integrated energy modelling," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(12), pages 939-945, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:12:d:10.1038_s41560-017-0032-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-017-0032-9
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