What changes can solar and wind power bring to the electrification of China compared with coal electricity: From a cost-oriented life cycle impact perspective

Abstract

For carbon neutralization, coal and oil need to be replaced with electricity, and this project is deeply dependent on the development of clean energy. Therefore, this study compared the environmental performance and cost of different substitution technologies, including coal, solar, and wind power, to provide useful information for the electrification of China. A cost-oriented life cycle assessment method and driving force analysis were conducted. Results showed that the solar and wind power scenarios showed low burdens with 35.3%–39.9% and 22.3%–42.6% of coal power, respectively. The main reason was that solar and wind power reduced CO2, particulates, and mercury emissions as well as coal consumption, which led to an improvement in human health and resources damage. However, the higher freshwater ecotoxicity, which was mainly derived from heavy metal emission in the supply chain, in the solar power scenarios than coal power should receive attention, as well as water depletion caused by solar wafer and metal electrode production. Meanwhile, metal depletion in wind power scenarios cannot be ignored. Adopting monocrystalline silicon and high-power wind turbines was beneficial to clean electrification. The driving factors analysis indicated that in addition to improving those environment-sensitive processes (e.g., wafer, metal, and glass fiber), coordinating clean energy development and electrification; reducing costs, especially by ensuring operational reliability; and expanding investment scale are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of policies on carbon neutralization.