Abstract
The present paper aims to evaluate the past and future environmental performance of the electricity generation in Brazil in terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Global Temperature Potential (GTP). To that end, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool was used to evaluate the system’s environmental performance, based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, using the Ecoinvent v 3.3 database. This study provides data on global warming by the GWP and GTP 100 years impact category. The functional unit and reference flow is kWh. The model was applied to the electricity generation in Brazil for the years 2016–2026 using Umberto NXT Universal software. The results indicate that the greatest environmental impacts lie on generation sources such as oil, natural gas, hydropower and hard coal. Carbon dioxide was the main contributor to atmospheric emissions in the life cycle of the Brazilian electricity matrix in 2016 and 2026. The total potential impact (and per kWh) is expected to decrease until 2021. The Brazilian electricity matrix is expected to be less pollutant in terms of carbon footprint until 2021. The study can contribute to directing public policies, promoting development actions and encouraging different electricity matrices.
Highlights
IntroductionGeneration of Electricity in the Global Scenario
Sengül et al [13] conducted a study on potential environmental impacts from the extraction of firewood for electricity generation in Turkey, which was assessed by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), based on data from 12 local mining sites
The environmental impacts associated with the electricity generation in Brazil from 2016 to 2026 were evaluated using the LCA tool based on ISO 14040 [6] and ISO 14044 [7]
Summary
Generation of Electricity in the Global Scenario. New means for electricity generation have been unveiled, whose obtainment and utilization has been demanded for the most diverse types of equipment—electronic, digital, domestic and industrial. Electricity can be obtained in a variety of ways from renewable and non-renewable sources. The electricity matrix stands out for the most varied sources [1]. There are non-renewable sources of electricity, which will likely be exhausted at a certain time, among them are the natural gas, oil and hard coal. At the same time, generating electricity from renewable sources is considered an attractive option for the environment [2]. Renewable energies or renewable sources are gaining prominence worldwide and providing clean electricity to the population through technological developments
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