Abstract
The global energy system is typically associated with severe environmental concerns, especially in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, the transition to a low-carbon economy requires clean energy solutions for both the electricity and the transport sector. This chapter focuses on the prospective assessment of the carbon footprint of a national power generation system by combining life-cycle assessment (LCA) and energy systems modelling (ESM). Long-term energy planning is facilitated by considering not only a business-as-usual scenario, but also a number of alternative energy scenarios oriented towards (i) the extended operation of non-renewable power generation technologies, (ii) the implementation of novel energy policies on CO2 capture, energy security and externalities, and (iii) cross-sectoral issues such as the deployment of electric vehicles. Through the case study of the Spanish power generation sector, the convenience of promoting the evolution to highly renewable electricity production mixes is shown.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Ekvall T (2002) Cleaner production tools: LCA and beyond. J Clean Prod 10:403–406
García-Gusano D, Iribarren D (2018) Prospective energy security scenarios in Spain: the future role of renewable power generation technologies and climate change implications. Renew Energy 126:202–209
García-Gusano D, Iribarren D, Martín-Gamboa M, Dufour J, Espegren K, Lind A (2016a) Integration of life-cycle indicators into energy optimisation models: the case study of power generation in Norway. J Clean Prod 112:2693–2696
García-Gusano D, Martín-Gamboa M, Iribarren D, Dufour J (2016b) Prospective analysis of life-cycle indicators through endogenous integration into a national power generation model. Resources 5:39
García-Gusano D, Iribarren D, Garraín D (2017a) Prospective analysis of energy security: a practical life-cycle approach focused on renewable power generation and oriented towards policy-makers. Appl Energy 190:891–901
García-Gusano D, Martín-Gamboa M, Iribarren D, Dufour J (2017b) A life-cycle perspective in energy systems modelling: nuclear extension scenarios for Spain. In: 8th international conference on life cycle management, luxembourg
García-Gusano D, Iribarren D, Dufour J (2018a) Is coal extension a sensible option for energy planning? A combined energy systems modelling and life cycle assessment approach. Energy Policy 114:413–421
García-Gusano D, Istrate IR, Iribarren D (2018b) Life-cycle consequences of internalising socio-environmental externalities of power generation. Sci Total Environ 612:386–391
IPCC (2014) Climate change 2014: mitigation of climate change—contribution of working group iii to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
ISO (2006a) ISO 14040:2006 environmental management—Life cycle assessment—principles and framework. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva
ISO (2006b) ISO 14044:2006 environmental management—Life cycle assessment—requirements and guidelines. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva
Kypreos S, Blesl M, Cosmi C, Kanudia A, Loulou R, Smekens K, Salvia M, Van Regemorter D, Cuomo V (2008) TIMES-EU: a pan-european model integrating LCA and external costs. Int J Sustain Dev Plan 3:180–194
Navas-Anguita Z, García-Gusano D, Iribarren D (2018) Prospective life cycle assessment of the increased electricity demand associated with the penetration of electric vehicles in Spain. Energies 11:1185
Pfenninger S, Hawkes A, Keirstead J (2014) Energy systems modeling for twenty-first century energy challenges. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 33:74–86
Pieragostini C, Mussati MC, Aguirre P (2012) On process optimization considering LCA methodology. J Environ Manage 96:43–54
Pietrapertosa F, Cosmi C, Macchiato M, Salvia M, Cuomo V (2009) Life cycle assessment, ExternE and comprehensive analysis for an integrated evaluation of the environmental impact of anthropogenic activities. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 13:1039–1048
Pietrapertosa F, Cosmi C, Di Leo S, Loperte S, Macchiato M, Salvia M, Cuomo V (2010) Assessment of externalities related to global and local air pollutants with the NEEDS-TIMES Italy model. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 14:404–412
Portugal-Pereira J, Köberle AC, Soria R, Lucena AFP, Szklo A, Schaeffer R (2016) Overlooked impacts of electricity expansion optimisation modelling: the life cycle side of the story. Energy 115:1424–1435
REE (2019) National statistical series—statistical series of the Spanish electricity system. Red Eléctrica de España, Alcobendas
Stamford L, Azapagic A (2014) Life cycle sustainability assessment of UK electricity scenarios to 2070. Energy Sustain Dev 23:194–211
Treyer K, Bauer C, Simons A (2014) Human health impacts in the life cycle of future European electricity generation. Energy Policy 74:S31–S44
Volkart K, Weidmann N, Bauer C, Hirschberg S (2017) Multi-criteria decision analysis of energy system transformation pathways: a case study for Switzerland. Energy Policy 106:155–168
Wene CO (1996) Energy-economy analysis: linking the macroeconomic and systems engineering approaches. Energy 21:809–824
Acknowledgements
This research has been partly supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (ENE2015-74607-JIN AEI/FEDER/UE).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Navas-Anguita, Z., García-Gusano, D., Iribarren, D. (2019). Prospective Assessment of the Carbon Footprint of a National Power Generation System. In: Muthu, S. (eds) Carbon Footprints. Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7912-3_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7912-3_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-7911-6
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-7912-3
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)