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

K. A. Kelly; M. C. McManus; G. P. Hammond

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.051

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

K. A. Kelly, M. C. McManus, G. P. Hammond

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	812-821
Number of pages	10
Journal	Energy
Volume	77
Early online date	16 Oct 2014
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.051
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2014

Keywords

Combined heat and power
Industrial energy
Life cycle assessment
Transition Pathways

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.051

An Energy and Carbon Life Cycle Assessment of Industrial CHP (final copy before submission)
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Energy, 77, 812-821. 10.1016/j.energy.2014.09.051
Accepted author manuscript, 148 KB
Kelly_McManus_HammondFinal published version, 954 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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

abstract = "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.",

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AU - Kelly, K. A.

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AU - Hammond, G. P.

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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KW - Life cycle assessment

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

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Realising Transition Pathways

KTA - TRANSITION PATHWAYS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

TRANSITION PATHWAYS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

Cite this

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

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Realising Transition Pathways

KTA - TRANSITION PATHWAYS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

TRANSITION PATHWAYS TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY

Cite this