Potential of photovoltaic solar energy to reduce the carbon footprint of the Brazilian electricity matrix

Carvalho, Mónica; Delgado, Danielle Bandeira de Mello

doi:10.18225/lalca.v1i1.3779

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…One study in line with the present work was the one by Carvalho and Delgado [27]. Even so, some differences are noticed in their study and correspond to: the generation potential that was considered along with the stages of transmission, distribution and transformation; for the use of different software tools there might be differences in emissions; in the LCIA, the branches of the biomass source are considered jointly; and the period considered was 2001-2015 and there was only a projection for 2024 [27]. The similarities between the studies follow the use of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2013 for Global Warming Potential (GWP 100 years) environmental impact assessment method.…”

Section: Brazilian Discussion On Lca Of Electricity Systemssupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Figure 7 presents the main substances emitted according to the Brazilian electricity matrix for the year 2016 and 2026. In Brazil, Carvalho and Delgado [27] found 0.299 kg CO2equiv./kWh in 2015 and 0.225 kg CO2equiv./kWh in 2024; however, they analyzed the generation, transmission, distribution and transformation of electricity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The similarities between the studies follow the use of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2013 for Global Warming Potential (GWP 100 years) environmental impact assessment method. Another advance in the present paper refers to the projection for the period (2016-2026), while Carvalho and Delgado [27] used the projection for the year 2024 only.…”

Section: Brazilian Discussion On Lca Of Electricity Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carbon Footprint of Electricity Generation in Brazil: An Analysis of the 2016–2026 Period

2018

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The present paper aims to evaluate the past and future environmental performance of the electricity generation in Brazil in terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Global Temperature Potential (GTP). To that end, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool was used to evaluate the system's environmental performance, based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, using the Ecoinvent v 3.3 database. This study provides data on global warming by the GWP and GTP 100 years impact category. The functional unit and reference flow is kWh. The model was applied to the electricity generation in Brazil for the years 2016-2026 using Umberto NXT Universal software. The results indicate that the greatest environmental impacts lie on generation sources such as oil, natural gas, hydropower and hard coal. Carbon dioxide was the main contributor to atmospheric emissions in the life cycle of the Brazilian electricity matrix in 2016 and 2026. The total potential impact (and per kWh) is expected to decrease until 2021. The Brazilian electricity matrix is expected to be less pollutant in terms of carbon footprint until 2021. The study can contribute to directing public policies, promoting development actions and encouraging different electricity matrices.

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Section: Brazilian Discussion On Lca Of Electricity Systemssupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Brazilian Discussion On Lca Of Electricity Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carbon Footprint of Electricity Generation in Brazil: An Analysis of the 2016–2026 Period

2018

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“…Consideration of greenhouse gases throughout the life cycle of different types of biomass can be accomplished using the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology [67][68][69] [72] for the utilization of firewood in a boiler yielded 0.0721 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh of heat produced. Sugarcane bagasse and pellets resulted in, respectively, 0.0479 and 0.0595 kg CO 2 -eq/kWh of heat produced in a boiler.…”

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confidence: 99%

Analysis of Biomass-fired Boilers in a Polygeneration System for a Hospital

de¹,

Carvalho²,

Coelho³

et al. 2018

FMR

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Abstract. This study evaluates the types of biomass that can be used in boilers for the production of steam and hot water for the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital located in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, using average cost of production and business model analysis (Business Model Canvas). The study was conducted to subsidize a system for the optimization of the energy resources to be adopted by the hospital, as the design of a product or service production system can identify opportunities to reduce costs and environmental damage. The energy demand of the hospital was surveyed. Only firewood, sugarcane bagasse and pellets were considered in the analysis, as these are the types of biomass allowed in the specified boiler. The results showed that the pellets were the costliest resource, whereas firewood exhibited the best results considering the average cost of production and the business model. This information supports more consistently the adequate inclusion of this resource in the hospital superstructure and, consequently, the optimization of the polygeneration system, allowing clearer verification of decreased costs and environmental impacts.Keywords: Biomass, polygeneration system, cost of production, hospital. IntroductionOver the last few years, the use of multiple energy sources in energy supply systems to guarantee reliability and improve energy use has been gaining attention [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Polygeneration, as it is more commonly known, is defined as the combined production of two or more energy services to reach the maximum use of the various energy sources used. Its main advantage is the efficient use of these sources, as it requires detailed study of the generation-consumption ratio, the reliability and continuity of the energy supply and the system's improvements compared to autonomous systems. Polygeneration and energy integration are promising tools for achieving better efficiency in the use of natural resources and, in most cases, also reducing the environmental impacts generated [2]. Examples of the application of polygeneration systems include the commercial [7][8][9], domestic [10][11], and industry [12][13] sectors Some consumption units, such as hospitals, exhibit high energy consumption and require continuous and simultaneous electric and thermal energy [14][15][16]. Therefore, hospitals are excellent units with potential for deploying polygeneration systems, as their comfort conditions and electricity, hot water, heating and air conditioning demands must be continuously met. There are recent studies on the optimization of polygeneration systems in hospitals [17][18][19]. However, the optimal configuration of these systems still represents a complex problem due to the wide variety of technological options for energy supply and conversion and the large daily and annual variations in energy demands and in energy prices and rates. According to Shang and Kokossis [20], variability in energy demand requires a project methodology that results in efficient production systems (ther...

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“…Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are interesting components for landscape and architectural compositions but can present divergent technical or economic characteristics that could hinder their implementation. According to Delgado and Carvalho , despite the fact that average solar irradiation in Brazil is within the range 1500–2400 kWh/m 2 /year, participation of solar energy in the 2015 electricity matrix of Brazil was 0.02%. In contrast, Germany presents 900–1250 kWh/m 2 /year with 5% participation of solar energy in the German electricity matrix .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon footprint associated with a mono‐Si cell photovoltaic ceramic roof tile system

Carvalho

Menezes

Gomes

et al. 2019

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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Photovoltaic roof tiles are aesthetic ceramic roof tiles with integrated photovoltaic solar panels, which could present economic, energy‐related or environmental characteristics that hinder their implementation. The objective of this study is to calculate the carbon footprint associated with a residential electricity supply system based on photovoltaic roof tiles, and compare with a photovoltaic panel‐based system. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to quantify the carbon footprint using the SimaPro 8.4.0.0 software, Ecoinvent database, and IPCC 2013 GWP 100y environmental impact assessment method. Considering the design of a 0.52 kWp system, 1160 kg of CO2‐eq was emitted when photovoltaic mono‐Si roof tiles were installed, compared to 950 kg CO2‐eq for a traditional photovoltaic panel system. A sensitivity analysis verified that utilization of poly‐Si yielded a carbon footprint of 822 kg CO2‐eq but its inherent lower space‐efficiency was an issue, as a larger surface is required (which is not possible with roof tiles, rendering this option not viable). Despite the slightly unfavorable results presented herein, other strategies could be adopted to further reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building, as the use of photovoltaic roof tiles is better accepted from an architectural perspective as it harmonizes with the surroundings. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13120, 2019

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Potential of photovoltaic solar energy to reduce the carbon footprint of the Brazilian electricity matrix

Cited by 25 publications

References 5 publications

Carbon Footprint of Electricity Generation in Brazil: An Analysis of the 2016–2026 Period

Carbon Footprint of Electricity Generation in Brazil: An Analysis of the 2016–2026 Period

Analysis of Biomass-fired Boilers in a Polygeneration System for a Hospital

Carbon footprint associated with a mono‐Si cell photovoltaic ceramic roof tile system

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