Abstract
The development of clean energy is of great importance in alleviating both the energy crisis and environmental pollution resulting from rapid global economic growth. Hydroelectric generation is considered climate benign, as it neither requires fossil carbon to produce energy nor emits large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG), unlike conventional energy generation techniques such as coal and oil power plants. However, dams and their associated reservoirs are not entirely GHG-neutral and their classification as a clean source of energy requires further investigation. This study evaluated the environmental impact of the Xiajiang hydropower station based on life cycle assessment (LCA) according to the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, focusing specifically on GHG emissions after the submersion of the reservoir. Results reveal that although hydropower is not as clean as we thought, it is still an absolute “low emissions” power type in China. The amount of GHG emissions produced by this station is 3.72 million tons with an emissions coefficient of 32.63 g CO2eq/kWh. This figure is lower than that of thermal power, thus implying that hydropower is still a clean energy resource in China. Our recommendations to further minimize the environmental impacts of this station are the optimization of relevant structural designs, the utilization of new and improved construction materials, and the extension of farmland lifting technology.
Highlights
Hydropower is a renewable and clean energy source that is playing a vital role in the adjustment of China’s energy structure, the reduction of its greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, and the country’s efforts to offset climate change
This study evaluated the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the Xiajiang hydropower station based on life cycle assessment
The life cycle environmental impact per kWh electricity produced by the station was evaluated to have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 32.63 g CO2eq, with the operation and maintenance stage being the largest contributor of emissions, followed by materials manufacturing stage
Summary
Hydropower is a renewable and clean energy source that is playing a vital role in the adjustment of China’s energy structure, the reduction of its GHG emissions, and the country’s efforts to offset climate change. Scientists in Brazil for example, gathered data on reservoirs demonstrating that these GHG emissions of hydropower can exceed those of thermal power [4]. Submerged hydropower plants cannot absorb carbon dioxide and their decomposition emits the potent greenhouse gas, methane In light of this and other research, it is inevitable that the question should arise as to just how clean hydropower is, and whether it is possible to conclude that hydropower is not as entirely clean as one might suppose [5]. Over the last six decades, China’s hydropower has developed rapidly with some large hydropower stations already operating while they were still under construction These include the Three Gorges Project (TGP) and Pumped-Storage Power stations [1].
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