Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Utility-Scale Wind Power

摘要: A systematic review and harmonization of life cycle assessment (LCA) literature utility-scale wind power systems was performed to determine the causes and, where possible, reduce variability in estimates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Screening approximately 240 LCAs onshore offshore yielded 72 references meeting minimum thresholds for quality, transparency, relevance. Of those, 49 provided 126 GHG Published ranged from 1.7 81 grams CO{sub 2}-equivalent per kilowatt-hour (g 2}-eq/kWh), with median interquartile range (IQR) both at 12 g 2}-eq/kWh. After adjusting published use consistent gross system boundaries values several important parameters, total reduced by 47% 3.0 45 2}-eq/kWh IQR 14% 10 2}-eq/kWh, while remained relatively constant (11 2}-eq/kWh). Harmonization capacity factor resulted largest reduction emission estimates. This study concludes that large number previously their tight distribution suggest new process-based similar turbinemore » technologies are unlikely differ greatly. However, additional consequential would enhance understanding true emissions (e.g., changes other generators operations when electricity is added grid), although even those fundamentally change comparison generation sources.« less