A review of how life cycle assessment has been used to assess the environmental impacts of hydropower energy. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gemechu, Eskinder; Kumar, Amit
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 167(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Greenhouse gas emissions -- Hydropower -- Life cycle assessment -- Reservoir -- Run-of-river; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Hydropower, which contributes to around 16% of global electricity and more than 72% of renewable electricity, is expected to play an important role in the deep decarbonization of the energy sector. However, the idea that hydropower is a carbon-neutral energy alternative on par with solar and wind is controversial. Research, mainly from limnology and climate modeling, shows that depending on the characteristics of the hydro project, it could be a significant source of GHG emissions. This aspect has been ignored in most life cycle assessment (LCA) studies, affecting the effective use of LCA results, especially in comparative assessments. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review on this topic by conducting a systematic literature review on hydropower LCA studies published since 2010. We found that there is inconsistency in how LCA is used for hydropower projects. While the emissions associated with the engineering work are well addressed, efforts to accurately estimate and model reservoir GHG emissions are constrained by limited data availability, difficulties in accurately quantifying highly variable carbon fluxes, and inconsistent modeling approaches. A huge range of emissions values is reported in the reviewed literature, from 1.5 to 3747.8 g CO2 eq per kWh. Reservoir-based hydropower shows high variability, which is mainly dictated by reservoir-related GHG emissions. Reservoir GHG emissions could be more than 90% of the life cycle emissions, especially for hydropower in a tropical region. The regionalized aspect is a key factor to be considered in extrapolating reservoir GHG emissions. Highlights: There is inconsistency in how LCA is used for hydropower projects. A wide range of emission intensities has been reported (1.5–3747.8 g CO2 eq/kWh). The high variability in the emissions is due to major differences in key reservoir characteristics. Data limitations are the main cause for over- or underestimation of hydropower emissions. Harmonization of data is vital to effectively conduct LCA and to generate useful results.