A review on life cycle assessment approach on thermal power generation

Abstract

The global population is predicted to reach 9.9 billion people in 2050, with 80% of the population living in developing countries. As the world's population grows, the demand for electricity also increases. In most developing nations, coal is the most important source of energy. The environmental impacts of coal-based electricity generation are a key concern for long-term sustainability and hence an intensively studied topic in many nations. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method has been widely used around the world to assess the environmental impact of electricity generation. Because the results of LCA are generally dependent on geographical location, they must be carried out for a specific location. In the Indian context, there are still gaps to be addressed in this area. This review is part of the baseline research for a comprehensive LCA analysis of India's coal-fired power facilities. A literature analysis of a variety of worldwide studies is conducted with a focus on understanding the LCA technique and environmental assessment. The findings of the analysis demonstrate that, while prior LCA studies have proven useful, no comprehensive LCA on coal-fired power plants in India has yet been completed. As a result, the objective of this research is to undertake a systematic review of LCA studies conducted on coal-based thermal power plant operations, emissions mitigation strategies, and transmission and distribution. The paper also discusses the methodology adopted by the researchers and the results of the LCA of thermal power plants in the Indian context.