On the CO2 emissions of the global electricity supply sector and the influence of renewable power-modeling and optimization

Abstract

This study investigates influences of different factors on the CO 2 emissions of the global electricity generation system. The analysis has been performed through applying an electricity system investment and production optimization model based on linear programming. This model has been calibrated according to the real electricity generation data.The results show that the introduction of a global CO 2 -certificate price of 18 €/t would lead to a total abatement of several hundreds of million tons in 2006, i.e. 5% reduction of emissions compared to the baseline scenario without any carbon price.Through a sensitivity study, we show that in addition to the CO 2 -certificate price, relation between natural gas and coal price is crucial for the abatement achieved through fuel switching.On a long-term horizon, integration of wind is determined as the most economic option to respond to ambitious emissions reduction targets. A wind power capacity of 4913 GW in 2020 and 15729 GW by 2040 allows reducing the emissions by 35% and 78%, respectively, as compared to the emissions of year 2000 while the CO 2 -price rises from 18 to 44 €/ton. This can only be achieved if the capacities of cross-border power transmission interconnections are extended far beyond the existing levels.

Can Mixed Land Use Reduce CO2 Emissions? A Case Study of 268 Chinese Cities

“…As for land use, the existing literature highlighted the CO 2 emission effects of different land use types. For example, construction land is shown as a carbon source, forest and grassland have a carbon sink effect, and cultivated land has both effects at the same time [28,29]. As for LUCC, the research shows that overall land use change has contributed about 1.45 Pg of carbon to the total carbon released from 1990 to 2010 [30].…”

Combining LP and MIP approaches to model the impacts of renewable energy generation on individual thermal power plant operation

“…(4) z nv Starting costs for single power plants are considered through an auxiliary variable dj ,v(t) in equation (2), which is set to 1 for each startup process in equation (5), where bj ,v is the binary state of each individual plant. (5) The constraints on operation, e.g.…”

“…These models allow the investigation of transcontinental power systems with an aggregated modeling of power plants in each region. Influences from intermittent energy sources on necessary grid extension [1], the change in electricity mix and emissions [2], or optimal placement of system components [3] can be examined employing this method. In contrast, studies that focus on more technical details and the binary state of power plants use a mixed integer programing (MIP) approach as described in [4].…”

Probabilistic approach to describe greenhouse gas emissions and their impact in the operation of insular power systems

“…Similarly, if in 2040 the wind capacity increases to 15.729GW, and 44€/ton is considered, the CO 2 emissions could be reduced to 78% [2].…”