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This paper presents the outcome of an extensive research that ultimately proposes a dynamic quasi comprehensive model to assess the carbon footprint of fossil fuel electrical energy. The key parameters and their respective effects have been fully considered. Such key parameters include plant type, fuel type, fuel transportation, emissions for fuel extraction and processing, within-facility power consumption at the power plant, degradation rate, site ambient conditions, and losses related to transmission and distribution. The proposed model has two significant features. The first feature considers a framework that generates a dynamic model. The time span in the dynamic framework is flexible and can vary from 1 s to the entire functional life of a power plant. The second feature of the model (representing its comprehensiveness) considers the aforementioned nine key parameters, holistically and simultaneously. Applying the proposed model across a wide range of circumstances leads to the estimation of the quantitative effect of each parameter. This shows the priority of order that the parameters should be given when designing a low-emission fossil-fuel power plant. Among the different standard cases of plant designs discussed in this paper, combined-cycle power plants running on natural gas have the minimum carbon footprint. Hence, the power plant and fuel types have the greatest effect on carbon footprint per unit of generated electrical power. Moreover, other mentioned parameters demonstrate significant effect on the results in this research work. The variation of parameters from least to most can result in a four-fold increase in carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed energy resources present opportunities to serve grid and customer need through two-way power flow. New values, methods, and planning are required to efficiently interconnect and utilize DERs. This paper analyzes New York’s and California’s DER proceedings to provide a comparison of the similarities and differences between these and other states that will result in different levels of deployments and valuations of DERs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal, a major source for electricity generation in many regions, is expected to keep its position among global energy sources in the next two decades. There are significant life cycle impacts of coal used for electricity generation such as heavy metal emissions and acidification. Impacts related to the combustion phase have so far been the focus of attention and are better documented than other phases of the life cycle. Relatively less attention has been paid to impacts of mining and coal preparation processes at mining sites due to generation of large quantities of wastewater, particulate matter and heavy metal emissions, and the use of heavy machinery which is energy-intensive. To this date, there are only a few studies specifically addressing impacts associated with the mining and coal preparation phases in the open literature. To further advance our understanding of the scale of impacts during these phases, this paper presents a life cycle assessment of lignite from extraction phase to the delivery to the power plant based on analysis of high quality data from twelve lignite mining sites that serve major lignite power plants in Turkey. For impacts on land use, four indicators which include erosion resistance, mechanical filtration, groundwater replenishment loss and biotic production, are estimated. Following life cycle impact assessment, two environmental performance improvement alternatives that can be easily implemented in mining sites are evaluated to quantify the potential degree of improvement. These alternatives include dewatering of the slurry waste and recovery of coal, and using biodiesel mixed fuel and watering roads to reduce dust formation. The analyses show that 40% improvement can be realized for ecotoxicity potential to water category through simple changes in mining practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Russia is frequently referred to as a country with substantial energy efficiency and renewable energy potential. In 2000–2008 energy-gross domestic product (GDP) ratios were improved by 35%, however, the contribution of technological progress accounts for only 1% of the energy-GDP ratio reduction. At the same time, although new policy mechanisms to stimulate renewable energy development have been recently introduced, renewable technology deployment has not yet taken off. Economic theory suggests that there is no better incentive for industry development than cost signals. This paper adapts the levelised cost of energy methodology to examine the cost structures associated with electricity generation by conventional and new technology types for a Russian region (Moscow). The model, run for two fuel price scenarios, allowed us to conclude that the regional energy supply system is heavily dependent on the natural gas price and that the diversification provided by technology development will be beneficial for the energy security of the region. We conclude that new and renewable technologies become cost-effective for electricity generation as domestic natural gas prices reach parity with export prices. However, strong political and financial support is needed to boost technological development and renewables application in Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]