Abstract
The environmental impact of using large electrical generators in the University of Technology in Iraq is studied. These generators are utilised due to the lack of electricity from the national grid. The emissions are very high and exceed the acceptable limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization and Iraqi Standard No. 4950. The impact of switching to the use of photovoltaic cell systems, as what is done in the Energy and Renewable Energies Technology Center (ERETC), and the environmental impact of this transformation are also studied. Results show that when the generators are used, high concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 are released, exposing students and staff to health hazards. The amounts of pollutants from SO2, H2S, NOx and volatile organic compounds are high due to the high sulphur content in Iraqi diesel fuel. Generator noise is extremely high that it could pose serious health risks to university staff and students. Furthermore, using the photovoltaic system considerably reduces PM1.0 and PM2.5 concentrations by 85.6% and 52.4%, respectively. The levels of CO2, CO, H2S and SO2 decrease by 60.5%, 49.6%, 91.7% and 95.3%, respectively. The noise inside ERETC is reduced by 29% compared with that in the external environment. Shifting towards the generation of photovoltaic electricity instead of using fossil fuel generators provides an immediate and appropriate treatment of Iraqi atmospheric pollution.
Highlights
Iraq has been suffering from a severe shortage of electricity since the beginning of the international economic blockade in 1990
The present study aims to measure and evaluate the pollutants emitted by the large generators used in the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq
The air inside Energies Technology Center (ERETC) is cleaner than the air outside because PM1.0 levels are reduced by 85.6% and PM2.5 levels are reduced by 52.4%
Summary
Iraq has been suffering from a severe shortage of electricity since the beginning of the international economic blockade in 1990. The country requires electricity of up to 20,000 MW, and such a need is increasing. These figures suggest a large deficit of up to 8 MW, and this shortage is due to the lack of proper planning and actual implementation of new projects [2, 3]. The peak electricity generated is 8,000 MW and could increase to 10,000 MW under ideal conditions. Such production is reduced at the peak of summer to 6,000 or 7,000 MW, which covers only 50% of actual needs at best [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
