Sustainable Power Grid Expansion: Life Cycle Assessment, Modeling Approaches, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

Electric demand is steadily increasing, hence requiring continuous investments in modernizing, and expanding power grids worldwide. Traditionally, power system planning projects have considered minimizing the costs of capacity expansion and minimizing the amount of energy not served as the main objectives. With climate change policies enforcing the decommissioning of fossil-fuel-based generation, new clean and renewable generation technologies are being considered for power system capacity expansion projects. However, the environmental impacts of energy resources are not limited to carbon emissions and their contribution to global warming. In fact, every power generation technology can result in undesired impacts during its entire life cycle, which could negatively affect air quality, water resources, material resources, and/or human health. This paper provides an overview of how to assess the sustainability of power systems and power generation technologies based on life cycle assessment (LCA). A review of LCA, as applied to power systems and generation technologies, is presented with a discussion of general findings, challenges, and limitations. A review of the literature is then provided related to how sustainability objectives are currently incorporated in power grid design and capacity expansion models. Finally, shortcomings of the current models are discussed, along with opportunities for future research.

Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning: Nexus of Resilience, Sustainability, and Equity

“…This has included limiting generation options to renewables, prioritizing renewable generation technologies over non-renewables, penalizing the deployment of transmission lines (which are known to have negative environmental consequences), and/or using life cycle assessments (LCAs) to weigh different options in terms of material use, human health impacts, and environmental impacts. A detailed review of the literature on sustainable grid expansion and models proposed in the literature appears in the authors' previous work in [19].…”

Analysis of Wind Characteristics for Grid-Tied Wind Turbine Generator Using Incremental Generative Adversarial Network Model

“…They are gradually replacing conventional energy sources, thereby mitigating the risks associated with the widespread use of traditional energy sources [1]. With growing concerns about climate change, the imperative to generate clean and eco-friendly power has never been more pressing [2]. The intensive consumption of electrical energy, coupled with escalating hydrocarbon prices and a heightened environmental consciousness, has prompted numerous nations to launch both national and international initiatives aimed at harnessing electricity from renewable resources [3], [4].…”

“…While wind energy currently contributes only a fraction of the world's total power demand, its growth is accelerating rapidly [2]. Additionally, the cost per watt of electricity generated from wind is declining in tandem with its expansion [8].…”

Review of Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms for Power Systems Problems

“…Enhancing the power system performance is one of the sustainable development objectives. For this reason, power systems are quickly evolving with the large-scale adoption of renewable energy sources (RESs) and the extensive incorporation of modern ICT technologies [13]. The integration of smart grid technologies into power systems also promotes environmental sustainability by enabling more efficient use of electricity through demand response programs that encourage consumers to shift their usage during peak hours when electricity is expensive or generated from non-renewable resources.…”