Journal article
Life cycle assessment of the transmission network in Great Britain
GP Harrison, EJ Maclean, S Karamanlis, LF Ochoa
Energy Policy | ELSEVIER SCI LTD | Published : 2010
Abstract
Analysis of lower carbon power systems has tended to focus on the operational carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power stations. However, to achieve the large cuts required it is necessary to understand the whole-life contribution of all sectors of the electricity industry. Here, a preliminary assessment of the life cycle carbon emissions of the transmission network in Great Britain is presented. Using a 40-year period and assuming a static generation mix it shows that the carbon equivalent emissions (or global warming potential) of the transmission network are around 11gCO2-eq/kWh of electricity transmitted and that almost 19 times more energy is transmitted by the network than is used in ..
View full abstractGrants
Funding Acknowledgements
This work was part-funded through the EPSRC Supergen V, UK Energy Infrastructure (AMPerES) grant in collaboration with UK electricity network operators working under Ofgem's Innovation Funding Incentive. The authors would like to thank Dr Mark Osborne at National Grid plc for extensive assistance as well as Gordon Kelly of Scottish Power and Dr Keith Bell of the University of Strathclyde for help in defining typical infrastructure. The assistance of staff at ABB, AMEC, Elexon, Lovat and Murphy Group in responding to queries was much appreciated.