Life cycle assessment of electricity generation in Mexico

E. Santoyo-Castelazo, H. Gujba and A. Azapagic

Energy, 2011, vol. 36, issue 3, 1488-1499

Abstract: This paper presents for the first time a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study of electricity generation in Mexico. The electricity mix in Mexico is dominated by fossil fuels, which contribute around 79% to the total primary energy; renewable energies contribute 16.5% (hydropower 13.5%, geothermal 3% and wind 0.02%) and the remaining 4.8% is from nuclear power. The LCA results show that 225 TWh of electricity generate about 129 million tonnes of CO2 eq. per year, of which the majority (87%) is due to the combustion of fossil fuels. The renewables and nuclear contribute only 1.1% to the total CO2 eq. Most of the other LCA impacts are also attributed to the fossil fuel options. The results have been compared with values reported for other countries with similar electricity mix, including Italy, Portugal and the UK, showing good agreement.

Keywords: Electricity generation; Mexico; Life cycle assessment; Environmental impacts; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (44)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:3:p:1488-1499

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.01.018

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