An energy and carbon life cycle assessment of industrial CHP (combined heat and power) in the context of a low carbon UK

The UK has targets to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to a 1990 baseline. The Transition Pathways research consortium has generated a set of three low carbon UK electrical futures, together with the corresponding technology mixes. All require a significant amount of technological cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy (Oxford) 2014-12, Vol.77, p.812-821
Main Authors: Kelly, K.A., McManus, M.C., Hammond, G.P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Carbon
CHP
Combined heat and power
Combined power plants
Consortia
Conversion
Cost engineering
Electricity
Energy
Energy economics
Energy policy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Industrial energy
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
Life cycle assessment
Transition Pathways
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Summary:The UK has targets to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 compared to a 1990 baseline. The Transition Pathways research consortium has generated a set of three low carbon UK electrical futures, together with the corresponding technology mixes. All require a significant amount of technological change, including a significant increase in the contribution of CHP (combined heat and power). This study investigates the appropriateness of industrial CHP as a low carbon electricity generation technology for the UK via an environmental LCA (life cycle assessment) case study of an existing industrial CHP plant in UK. The study shows that harnessing the resource of industrial heat via straight forward CHP conversion can generate electricity with lower associated energy and carbon impacts than the current and the 1990 National Grids. However it is apparent that if the grid successfully reduces in carbon intensity, the technology will come at a comparative carbon cost. •Presents LCA case study, including LCI, of an UK gas fired industrial CHP plant.•Quantitative estimates are given for carbon emissions and energy demand.•The power only impact allocation is compared to current and future UK grid mixes.•The technology is shown to offer significant energy and carbon savings now.•It is shown that the technology could be a carbon burden in the future.
ISSN:0360-5442
DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.051