Importance of reducing GHG emissions in power transmission and distribution systems

Abstract

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the power transmission and distribution (T&D) network is crucial for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. However, there has been a lack of focus on this topic, despite the dramatic replacement of traditional high-emission power generation systems with clean and renewable energy sources. This study aims at investigating the GHG emissions in the T&D network based on life cycle assessment (LCA). A life cycle carbon assessment (LCCA) model of the T&D network is established, and the GHG emission intensity of China's T&D system is predicted. It is found that the GHG emission intensity of T&D in China was approximately 66 gCO2eq/kWh in 2012 and decreased to around 32 gCO2eq/kWh in 2022, of which GHG emissions of the T&D network were mostly caused by electricity loss. The contributions of infrastructure GHG emissions are analyzed, and alternative scenarios are conducted to explore the driving factors of the GHG emissions of T&D infrastructure. A prediction towards year 2060 regarding carbon neutrality indicates that the GHG emissions of T&D will account for at least 16% of total GHG emissions from China's power grid system by 2060. This implies that reducing GHG emissions in T&D should be one of the primary tasks, especially when the clean energy dominates in the electricity mix.