Carbon Emission Evaluation Method and Comparison Study of Transformer Substations Using Different Data Sources

Abstract

The construction of transformer substations in transmission lines is a systematic, technical, and complex project with the need for numerous materials and resources. Under the development of the green economy, the requirements for energy conservation and carbon reduction have improved; hence, an assessment of carbon emissions in transformer substations is urgently needed. A calculation method was proposed in the present study to analyze the carbon emissions of transformer substations with different kinds of data sources, which were collected from several practical projects in the west-to-east power transmission project. In this study, a detailed comparison and discussion regarding the differences in carbon emissions of 750 kV transformer substations caused by hydrology, geology, engineering quantity, and other factors were conducted. The mean value, standard deviation, and 90% confidence interval of carbon emissions were obtained by Monte Carlo simulation through MATLAB. Results show that the total carbon emissions of the selected 750 kV transformer substations are between [56,000, 68,000] t CO2 eq. Construction engineering accounts for more than 50% of carbon emissions, followed by installation engineering and additional services. In terms of input items, electricity distribution buildings contribute more than 39% of total carbon emissions, followed by cable/earthing systems, which account for 14% of total carbon emissions. Gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and air insulated switchgear (AIS) could adopt different types of equipment foundations, and GIS equipment foundations would generate fewer carbon emissions due to the smaller land area and input materials. This study can provide experience and reference for similar projects and further guide the substation carbon emission reduction work.

Simulation of Carbon Emission Reduction in Power Construction Projects Using System Dynamics: A Chinese Empirical Study

“…Some scholars have combined the input-output method with process analysis to calculate the carbon emissions of each part of a PCP, and the research results show that transmission equipment and construction engineering contribute the most to carbon emissions [12,25]. To more clearly quantify the carbon emissions of each process, Liu et al established a carbon emission calculation method for substations under different data sources, compared the carbon emissions in different phases of a PCP, and proposed that the carbon emissions in the construction phase were the highest [8]. Ge et al used a hybrid method to measure the embodied carbon emissions of China's PCPs in the construction phase and, based on the measurement results, put forward some suggestions to reduce the carbon emissions in PCPs from several key aspects such as formulating relevant policies, expanding the use of energy-saving materials, and improving construction technology [26].…”

“…A PCP mainly involves power plants and substations, with many construction operation points, large-scale facilities, long construction cycles, and complex projects [7,8]. So, PCPs consume a lot of resources and produce a large amount of carbon emissions.…”

“…The main source of carbon emissions in the production phase is the carbon dioxide produced during the production of the main equipment materials; carbon emissions in the transportation phase mainly come from fuel emissions or energy consumption emissions during transport; the sources of carbon emissions during the construction phase mainly include site construction and installation; carbon emissions in the operation and maintenance phase come from energy consumption during the operation of the project; the source of carbon emissions in the disposal and recycling phase mainly includes building demolition and garbage transportation [9][10][11]. These stages all involve a lot of carbon-intensive products [12], among which the carbon emissions in the construction stage are the most significant, accounting for more than 50% of overall carbon emissions [8]. Although carbon emissions can be reduced to some extent by improving equipment, optimizing production processes, and using renewable energy, they require significant investment and technical support and it may take a long time to achieve results [13,14].…”

Carbon Emission Accounting during the Construction of Typical 500 kV Power Transmissions and Substations Using the Carbon Emission Factor Approach

“…In existing research, accounting for carbon emissions during the construction of power transmission and transformation projects is relatively crude, both domestically and overseas, and carbon emissions have been primarily calculated using the building level alone. For example, Hu Yashan conducted a carbon accounting and analysis of the entire lifecycle of a substation by considering the carbon emission characteristics of the buildings and the substation processes [10,11]. However, the analysis overlooked the emissions caused by the construction activities.…”