Meta-analysis of estimates of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from concentrating solar power : preprint / Garvin A. Heath, John J. Burkhardt III.

Format:

Book

Conference/Event

Government document

Author/Creator:

Heath, Garvin

Contributor:

Burkhardt, John J.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)

Conference Name:

SolarPACES (Conference) http://viaf.org/viaf/142879145

Series:

Conference paper (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (U.S.)) ; 6 A 20-52191.

NREL/CP ; 6A20-52191

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Greenhouse gases--Research.

Greenhouse gases.

Product life cycle--Analysis.

Product life cycle.

Solar concentrators.

Parabolic troughs.

Genre:

technical reports.

Technical reports

Technical reports.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (8 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Golden, CO : National Renewable Energy Laboratory, [2011]

Summary:

In reviewing life cycle assessment (LCA) literature of utility-scale CSP systems, this analysis focuses on clarifying central tendency and reducing variability in estimates of life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through a meta-analytical process called harmonization. From 125 references reviewed, 10 produced 36 independent GHG emission estimates passing screens for quality and relevance: 19 for parabolic trough technology and 17 for power tower technology. The interquartile range (IQR) of published GHG emission estimates was 83 and 20 g CO2eq/kWh for trough and tower, respectively, with medians of 26 and 38 g CO2eq/kWh. Two levels of harmonization were applied. Light harmonization reduced variability in published estimates by using consistent values for key parameters pertaining to plant design and performance. Compared to the published estimates, IQR was reduced by 69% and median increased by 76% for troughs. IQR was reduced by 26% for towers, and median was reduced by 34%. A second level of harmonization was applied to five well-documented trough LC GHG emission estimates, harmonizing to consistent values for GHG emissions embodied in materials and from construction activities. As a result, their median was further reduced by 5%, while the range increased by 6%. In sum, harmonization clarified previous results.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed Oct. 10, 2011).

"September 2011."

"To be presented at SolarPACES 2011, Granada, Spain, September 20 - 23, 2011."

Includes bibliographical references.

OCLC:

756502478