Power generation

Rules and Tools for wind energy accounting

13th March 2013

Chaired by: Samuel Chapman, Heriot-Watt University

Specific questions from previous workshops

Can we move forward in agreeing on relevant, consistent and accurate studies?

Can we suggest case studies to stakeholders?

Can we agree on methods for systematic carbon accounting and specific technical carbon accounting within our sector?

Agenda

Presentation of Process-based Life Cycle Carbon (and Energy) Study

Presentation of Cost-based Carbon Study Presentation of a hybrid approach to life cycle carbon assessment of offshore wind

Feedback

Case Studies

Other sectors

Conducted through material inventory data and bottom-up detail only

Conducted through aggregated cost data only. Based on UK offshore wind cost data and harmonisation results.

Conducted via a mixture of the two. A hybrid approach

Sensitivities in Wind Power

Which stakeholders present today? Policy makers Academics Environmental managers Environmental consultants Community groups Others?

Carbon Accounting Methods & Guidelines

ISO 14040/44 GHG Protocol Defra Guidelines Carbon Trust

Standard Input-Output Analysis Fuel Mix Disclosure PAS 2050 And more?

MATERIALS EXTRACTION & PROCESSING

MANUFACTURE & ASSEMBLY

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

DECOMMISSIONING & DISPOSALRECYCLING

WASTE

Feedback from 2011 Conference

1.Good case studies available, but need more to cover specific issues

2.Cross-sectoral communication needs to improve

3.Training and education critical4.More links with resource efficiency and other

benefits required

The NREL Harmonisation Project – A basis for more timely carbon accounting.

Aligning carbon assessments for ICARB databases / reference tools

Samuel ChapmanPhD Student. Institute for Infrastructure and EnvironmentHeriot-Watt University

The Issue

1.Understand the huge range of published results of LCAs of electricity generation technologies

2.Reduce the variability in published results

3.Clarify the central tendency of published estimates.

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Published

Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh)

Global Estimates for Onshore Wind

Range of estimates for nuclear

The Method

1.Review of Historic life cycle studies / estimates

2.META-Analysis of chosen estimates

3.Learn from reducing the variation and reviewing studies

gCO2eCapacity factor x 8760 hours/year x lifetime x Nameplate capacity

Life Cycle GHG

Emissions

=

Raw Material Extraction

Materials Manufacture

Component Manufacture

ProductionProcesses

Civil Works

Environmental Disturbance

ConstructionProcesses

Power Generation

MaintenanceOperationalProcesses

Decommissioning

Disposal

DisposalProcesses

Recycling

Vehicle use included within

stage

Transportation

Process Flow

Key

Wind Turbine/Farm Life Cycle

Process Flow

Diagram

gCO2e

These variations in approach, while usually legitimate, hamper comparison across studies and pooling of published results

reduce the uncertaintyincrease the value of the assessments to the policymaking and research communities

As Published (All Values)As Published (All Values)0

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Comparison of central tendency and spread of published GHG emission estimates

Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh) Life Cycle GHG Estimates (gCO2e/kWh)

Credit: Sathaye, J., O. Lucon, A. Rahman, J. Christensen, F. Denton, J. Fujino, G. Heath, S. Kadner, M. Mirza, H. Rudnick, A. Schlaepfer, A. Shmakin, 2011: Renewable Energy in the Context of Sustainable Energy. In IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation [O. Edenhofer, R. Pichs-Madruga, Y. Sokona, K. Seyboth, P. Matschoss, S. Kadner, T. Zwickel, P. Eickemeier, G. Hansen, S. Schlömer, C. von Stechow (eds)], Cambridge University Press. Figure 9.8

Grid and Wind Interaction – Marginal carbon offsets of wind. Lessons from historical data

Are we getting any closer to understanding how to balance and optimise the contributions of different technologies on the grid?

Camilla ThomsonPhD Student, Institute for Energy SystemsUniversity of Edinburgh

ICARB Energy Workshop

Developing a Standard Framework and Providing Accreditation

ICARB: The Initiative for Carbon Accounting

“A group of academics, politicians and consultants working to create a set of transparent, consistent and accurate rules for Carbon Accounting.”

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