CO2 emissions related to the electricity consumption in the european primary aluminium production a comparison of electricity supply approaches

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the specific CO2 emissions related to the electricity consumption in the European primary aluminium production and to compare different choices of system boundaries of its electricity supply. The study covers all European aluminium smelters, except Russia and the Ukraine. The concepts of single power plant supply, contract mix, national mix and European grid mix are compared as alternative choices of system boundaries of the electricity supply. The calculations of the electricity consumption in the electrolysis are based on plant-specific information on technology, production and electricity supply. Detailed fuel and country-specific data on CO2 emissions of the relevant types of electricity generation are used with a ‘from cradle to grave’ perspective. The specific emissions calculated for Europe fall into the range of 6-7 kg CO2/kg Al depending on the choice of system boundaries.