Electric power generation in relation to the greenhouse effect and acidification: From emissions to environmental index

The study on the title subject is a start in comparing different environmental impacts as results of electric power generation, in order to realize a technical-scientific assessment of several power generating installations. An outline is given of the possibilities and uncertainties with regard to the application of a quantitative reference methodology, based on sustainability standards or policy aims. The greenhouse gas emissions CO2, NOx, N2O and CH4 were converted into CO2-equivalents by means of Global Warming Potentials (GWP). Acidifying emissions SO2 and NOx were converted into potential acidification equivalents. The results of these conversions are compared with the policy targets of the Dutch National Environmental Plan (NMP in Dutch). The final result is an environmental index for a number of power generating systems, being the sum of the CO2-index and the H+-index. Nationally and globally considered the relative contribution of CO2 to the greenhouse effect is 62%, respectively 55%. NOx is the most important contributor to the acidifying emissions. Comparison of CO2 equivalents and potential acidification equivalents on the basis of policy aims learns that CO2 is the most important emission in the environmental index. Comparison of the environmental indicators, based on time, proves that the importance of the H+-index is growing, which means that the Dutch government is giving priority to the acidification problem. From the final result it also appears which power generating systems are the most favourable to produce electricity: conventional and gas-combi plants, decentralized cogeneration options of the natural gas-fired combined steam and gas turbine plant (STEG) and the gas turbine. Coal-fired plants, oil-fired plants, blast-furnace gas plants and gas engines have negative impacts on the greenhouse effect and the acidification. 13 figs., 19 tabs., 3 app., 56 refs