CO sub 2 emissions from coal-fired and solar electric power plants

Abstract

PREFACEThis report presents estimates of the lifetime carbon dioxid~ emissions from coal-fired, photovoltaic, and solar thermal electric power plants in the United States. These CO 2 estimates are based on a net energy analysis derived from both operational systems and detailed design studies. The implications of the results for planning a national energy policy are also discussed.

The greenest solar power? Life cycle assessment of foam-based flexible floatovoltaics

“…The cumulative energy demand (CED) and the GHG emissions were estimated to be 6300 kW h m −2 and 280 kg CO 2 eq per MW h, respectively. 3 In 2012, another study by Fthenakis et al was conducted in the U. S. using the same lifetime (30 years), and mounting system (ground-mounted) as Kreith et al , with substantially improved module efficiency (20.1%). According to Fthenakis et al , the system's CED was 1295 kW h m −2 and the GHG emissions was estimated to be 64.2 kg CO 2 eq per MW h. 4 This shows a respective reduction of 79% and 77% in the energy use impact and GHG emission impacts in 22 years due to technology improvement.…”

“…5 and 6) to 280 kg CO 2 eq per MW h (ref. 3 and 7) for c-Si technologies, and 20 kg CO 2 eq per MW h (ref. 6 and 8) to 200 CO 2 eq per MW h (ref.…”