Life cycle assessment and environmental cost accounting of coal-fired power generation in China. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Jinman; Wang, Ruogu; Zhu, Yucheng; Li, Jiayan
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 115(2018)
• Page Start: 374
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand -- CCS Carbon Capture and Sequestration -- CCY China Communication Yearbook -- CESY China Energy Statistical Yearbook -- CEY China Environment Yearbook -- CFB Circulating Fluidized Bed -- CH4 Methane -- C2H4 Ethylene -- CHP Combined Heat and Power -- CO Carbon Monoxide -- CO2 Carbon Dioxide -- COD Chemical Oxygen Demand -- CSY China Statistical Yearbook -- EIA Environmental Impact Assessment -- EU European Union -- Fe iron -- GHG Greenhouse Gas -- IGCC Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle -- KWh Kilowatt Hour -- LCA Life Cycle Assessment -- Mcal/kg Million Calories Per Kilogram -- MWh Million Watt Hour -- N Nitrogen -- NO3- nitrate ion -- N2O Nitrous Oxide -- NOx Ox Nitride -- P Phosphorus -- PM10 Particulate Matter -- SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment -- SO2 Sulfur Dioxide -- SS Suspended Substance -- TSP Total Suspended Particulate -- UK the United Kingdom -- USA the United States of America; Coal-fired power generation -- Life cycle assessment -- Environmental impact -- Resource consumption cost -- External environmental cost; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.01.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: It is necessary to analyze the environmental impact of the entire process of coal-fired power generation to take effective measures for controlling energy consumption and reducing pollutant emission. However, very few studies have examined the coal mining, washing and transportation stages in the life cycle of coal-fired power generation and it's environmental cost. In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) method was adopted to analyze the environmental impact of coal-fired power generation in China. Further, the relevant cost theory was used to calculate the resource consumption cost and external environmental cost of coal-fired power generation. The key environmental impact category was smoke and dust, and the main emissions were CO2, CO, SO2, TSP, COD, and boiler ash. The emissions with high environmental cost were coal, SO2, COD, and boiler ash. The environmental cost at the power generation stage was the highest, with a value of $50.24. The resource consumption cost and external environmental cost per unit of MWh power in the life cycle was $46.01 and $22.90, respectively. Upgrading the facilities for emission reduction, improving emission standards of pollutants, and strengthening process management of coal-fired power generation are effective ways to reduce the burden on the environment. Highlights: Environmental impacts of coal-fired power generation were examined using LCA. Resource consumption and external environmental cost were calculated using relevant cost theory. Key mid-point impact category of emission was smoke and dust. The main emissions were CO2, CO, SO2, TSP, COD and boiler ash. Environmental impact factors with high environmental cost were coal, SO2, COD and boiler ash.