Life cycle energy efficiency evaluation for coal development and utilization

Ning Wang, Ruifang Shen, Zongguo Wen and Djavan De Clercq

Energy, 2019, vol. 179, issue C, 1-11

Abstract: The energy conversion efficiency of coal utilization is a focal point in modern energy management practices and in academic literature. This paper explores life cycle energy efficiency of coal (LEEC), which encompasses six distinct stages from the design of coal mines to the comprehensive reuse of resources. First, the study analyzes improvements to the evaluation of efficiencies in energy systems. Secondly, it proposes a multi-stage energy efficiency analysis and constructs an innovative LEEC model for coal exploitation and utilization. Thirdly, the energy efficiency of coal exploitation and utilization was evaluated, and found that total efficiency in China increased from 33.11% in 2010 to 37.69% in 2014, saving 126 Mtce of energy. Finally, this study found that mine design is the most important stage in improving energy efficiency, followed by the coal processing stage. Moreover, we found that coal processing has an indirect contribution to other stages in the life cycle utilization of coal, such as reducing transportation capacity. The primary research contribution is the development of a comprehensive LEEC model for the entire life cycle of coal, rather than just single-stage evaluation. This lays the foundation for further studies on energy efficiency of industrial chains and across entire systems.

Keywords: Energy efficiency; Life cycle assessment; Coal resource; Energy conservation; Sensitivity analysis; Carbon emission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:179:y:2019:i:c:p:1-11

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.04.111

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