Embodied energy analysis for coal-based power generation system-highlighting the role of indirect energy cost

X.D. Wu, Xiao-Hua Xia, G.Q. Chen, X.F. Wu and B. Chen

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 184, issue C, 936-950

Abstract: Coal-based power generation accounts for over two fifths of global electricity supply and is supposed to be continuing its leading role in the coming decades. However, an integrated embodied energy accounting for typical coal-fired power system seems to be in its vacancy. To help erect a benchmark for energy analysis of electricity production, this study has for the first time established a complete inventory of energy inputs in the life cycle of a typical coal-fired power plant. Distinguished from previous works, with the support of ecological input–output database, this paper gives full consideration to the energy embodied in materials, equipment and services that have been traditionally neglected. The indirect energy cost is illustrated to be a non-negligible component, sharing around one-tenth of the total. This work could be a reference example for holistic energy evaluation of power generation systems worldwide. In current context of energy conservation and emissions abatement, it is of significant importance as the retrofitting of power generation systems may initiate large amounts of indirect energy cost. Besides, by calculating the nonrenewability indicator for the typical coal-fired power system, the energy saving potentials of several renewable alternatives are enunciated in this work. It may provide essential implications for policy makers in renewable deployment.

Keywords: Coal-based power generation; Embodied energy accounting; Benchmark; Indirect energy cost (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (26)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261916303385
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:184:y:2016:i:c:p:936-950

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 405891/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.03.027

Access Statistics for this article

Applied Energy is currently edited by J. Yan

More articles in Applied Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().