Atmospheric emissions from electric energy generation and their impact on environment, and the potential of renewable energy sources in Italy

Tong Wang,Yingqin Wu,Longmiao Yuan

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202127102014

Abstract

The European Union has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in total energy consumption, ensure the development and use of clean energy sources, and strive to reduce carbon emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2050. This study attempts to assess the environmental impact of electricity production on electricity demand and associated emissions in Italy through a three-step process. First, a literature review was conducted to estimate the growth of electricity demand in Italy by population and industry in 2014. Secondly, the CO2 and SO2 produced in the process of power generation by different power production methods were evaluated and compared. Finally, according to the current production and power models, the development trend of renewable energy in Italy in 2050 was estimated, and the satisfactory conclusion is that the renewable energy can fully meet the supply and demand in 2050 in Italy.

Highlights

Most of the current electric energy production methods cause adverse environmental impacts [1,2,3,4]
The CO2 and SO2 produced in the process of power generation by different power production methods were evaluated and compared
According to the current production and power models, the development trend of renewable energy in Italy in 2050 was estimated, and the satisfactory conclusion is that the renewable energy can fully meet the supply and demand in 2050 in Italy

Summary

Introduction

Most of the current electric energy production methods cause adverse environmental impacts [1,2,3,4]. The European Union (2009) [5] has targeted a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020 from the 1990 levels, and renewable energy production is deemed the key solution. There is widespread enthusiasm for renewable energy production. According to 2014 data, Italy has a population of 60,789,140 and a total surface area of 301,340 km (including inland water bodies and some coastal waters). Due to the large vertical extension of the peninsula and the fact that the mountains are mostly internally formed, Italy has an extremely diverse climate and has strong solar radiation. Average winter temperatures range from 0°C to 12°C and in summer from 20°C to over 25°C

Methods

Results

Conclusion