Decomposition Analysis of CO2 Emissions from Coal - Sourced Electricity Production in South Africa

Abstract

In 2013, the electricity sector was the largest source of South Africa's CO 2 emissions, accounting for about 60% of its total. South Africa (SA) is one of the highest CO 2 emitters on a per capita basis when compared to many developed and developing countries. For a better understanding of the driving forces leading the electricity-related CO 2 emission per person, this paper applies the Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) to analyze the influence of the factors which ruled electricity generation-related CO 2 emission in SA over the period 1990-2013. We focused on coal which is the dominant fuel used in SA for electricity generation. The results show that the electricity generation intensity effect plays the dominant role in decreasing CO 2 emissions. However, the effect of economic activity is the major determinant that contributes to increasing CO 2 emissions. In order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions levels, meet the agreement of the COP21 agreement, and fight against CO 2 emissions per-capita associated with electricity generation, it is recommended that SA's government should improve the efficiency of its existing electricity power generation plants and expand more of its renewable energy sources (nuclear included).

Multiplier Effects of Energy Consumption and CO2 Emissions by Input-Output Analysis in South Africa

“…As we know, the volume of CO 2 released from fossil fuel combustion depends Table 10; and also, according to the result in Table 8, electricity sector totals of CO 2 emissions and monetary CO2 emissions (direct CO 2 emissions) account respectively 58% and 55% of the totals of CO 2 emissions and monetary CO 2 emissions, respectively. This is well correlated with the introduction section and the previous study of Beidari et al (2017) where it is stated that the electricity sector was the largest source of SA's CO 2 emissions, accounting for about 66% of the SA total and more than 90% of the electricity generated in South Africa comes from coal. Those sectors with a large indirect effects need more attention.…”

“…Commercial and Public Services was the sector with the highest forward linkage for each year of this study. It has Beidari et al (2017), the electricity sector in SA is facing many challenges due to the increase of the price of electricity, which can be related to the aging of most power stations as they approach the end of their lifespan, causing substantial operational inefficiencies. Furthermore, since the initial electricity blackouts in 2008, Eskom (SA's national electricity distributer) is struggling to meet the country's electricity demand.…”

“…(3) shift the fuel structure especially in the electricity sector by developing more the renewable energy sector. (4) increase the quality of coal and provide new technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage as mentioned by Beidari et al (2017) for the main power plants. That could inevitably increase the efficiency of power plants.…”

“…Results revealed that CO 2 fixation via fast-growing biomass decreases CO 2 uses for supplying chemicals and energy products, while integrated alkaline waste treatment with CO 2 capture and utilization is a smart approach to accomplishing direct and indirect reduction of GHG discharges from industries. Beidari et al (2017) applied the Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) to investigate the influence of the factors which governed electricity generation-related CO 2 emission in SA over the period 1990-2013. The results showed that the electricity generation intensity effect was the most important contributor in decreasing CO 2 emissions.…”

Experimental Study on Energy Consumption and Performance of Hydroxyethyl Ethylenediamine Solution for CO2 Capture

“…Therefore, it is essential to develop effective technology to mitigate CO 2 emissions (Butterfield et al, 2017). CO 2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a promising technology to mitigate global warming by capturing CO 2 from coal fired power plants, storing it, and reusing it with the effect of reducing about 80%-90% of the CO 2 emissions from coal-fired power plants (Li et al, 2013;Li et al, 2016;IEA, 2017;Beidari et al, 2017;Jain et al, 2018). Currently, different CO 2 capture and separation methods with low energy consumption and high capture efficiency have been widely researched (Chatterjee et al, 2018).…”