Effect of the Implementation of Carbon Capture Systems on the Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance of the Brazilian Electricity Matrix

Abstract

This study examined the effect of Carbon Capture and Storage units on the environmental, energy and economic performance of the Brazilian electric grid. Four scenarios were established considering the coupling of Calcium Looping (CaL) processes to capture CO2 emitted from thermoelectric using coal and natural gas: S1: the current condition of the Brazilian grid; S2 and S3: Brazilian grid with CaL applied individually to coal (TEC) and gas (TGN) operated thermoelectric; and S4: CaL is simultaneously coupled to both sources. Global warming potential (GWP) expressed the environmental dimension, Primary Energy Demand (PED) was the energy indicator and Levelised Cost of Energy described the economic range. Attributional Life Cycle Assessment for generation of 1.0 MWh was applied in the analysis. None of the scenarios accumulated the best indexes in all dimensions. Regarding GWP, S4 totals the positive effects of using CaL to reduce CO2 from TEC and TGN, but the CH4 emissions increased due to its energy requirements. As for PED, S1 and S2 are similar and presented higher performances than S3 and S4. The price of natural gas compromises the use of CaL in TGN. A combined verification of the three analysis dimensions, proved that S2 was the best option of the series due to the homogeneity of its indices. The installation of CaL in TECs and TGNs was effective to capture and store CO2 emissions, but the costs of this system should be reduced and its energy efficiency still needs to be improved.

Green Coalescent Synthesis Based on the Design for Environment (DfE) Principles: Brazilian Experience

“…Conceptually, EEA conducted in this study is a variant of the approach proposed in [58] in which the environmental and economic performance of one of the analysis scenarios (or objects) are used as references for applying the standardization procedure. This logic was applied previously for assessments in water recovery areas [59][60][61], beef production [62], solid waste management [43], and energy resources [63], providing consistent results. As it has been on the market for years, StC has naturally become this standard for the present case.…”

Life cycle assessment of carbon capture and storage in saline aquifers for coal‐fired power generation: An Indian scenario

“…Across the decades, several authors carried out partial or complete LCA of power stations with CCS technology and observed major reduction in terms of GHGs when compared to conventional fossil-fueled power plants. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Limited researchers have studied the nationally environmental effects of CCS technology. [27][28][29][30][31][32] Additionally, several authors addressed the complexity and requirements of the LCA technique in general.…”

“…A number of LCA studies were conducted on the coal‐fired power production facilities in the United Kingdom. Across the decades, several authors carried out partial or complete LCA of power stations with CCS technology and observed major reduction in terms of GHGs when compared to conventional fossil‐fueled power plants 20–26 . Limited researchers have studied the nationally environmental effects of CCS technology 27–32 .…”

A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach to Evaluate Different UVC/H2O2 Systems in Wastewater Treatment

“…This approach is common in such circumstances, given that LCA studies with similar characteristics have been conducted with the expectation of providing support for managerial decision-making processes and have been successful in their purposes. In this context, developments in the fields of the selection of productive arrangements for biofuel and derivative syntheses are highlighted [55,56], as well as closing water circuit [57][58][59], cattle raising [60], domestic solid waste management [61] and energy planning.…”