Fossil Fuels For Electricity Generation Research Articles

Modelling of a Stirling engine with parabolic dish for thermal to electric conversion of solar energy

Stirling engines with parabolic dish for thermal to electric conversion of solar energy is one of the most promising solutions of renewable energy technologies in order to reduce the dependency from fossil fuels in electricity generation. This paper addresses the modelling and simulation of a solar powered Stirling engine system with parabolic dish and electric generator aiming to determine its energy production and efficiency. The model includes the solar radiation concentration system, the heat transfer in the thermal receiver, the thermal cycle and the mechanical and electric energy conversion. The thermodynamic and energy transfer processes in the engine are modelled in detail, including all the main processes occurring in the compression, expansion and regenerator spaces. Starting from a particular configuration, an optimization of the concentration factor is also carried out and the results for both the transient and steady state regimes are presented. It was found that using a directly illuminated thermal receiver without cavity the engine efficiency is close to 23.8% corresponding to a global efficiency of 10.4%. The components to be optimized are identified in order to increase the global efficiency of the system and the trade-off between system complexity and efficiency is discussed.

An examination of electricity generation by utility organizations in the Southeast United States

This study examined the impact of climatic variability on electricity generation in the Southeast United States. The relationship cooling degree days (CDD) and heating degree days (HDD) shared with electricity generation by fuel source was explored. Using seasonal autoregressive integrated weighted average (ARIMA) and seasonal simple exponentially smoothed models, retrospective time series analysis was run. The hypothesized relationship between climatic variability and total electricity generation was supported, where an ARIMA model including CDDs as a predictor explained 57.6% of the variability. The hypothesis that climatic variability would be more predictive of fossil fuel electricity generation than electricity produced by clean energy sources was partially supported. The ARIMA model for natural gas indicated that CDDS were the only predictor for the fossil fuel source, and that 79.4% of the variability was explained. Climatic variability was not predictive of electricity generation from coal or petroleum, where simple seasonal exponentially smoothed models emerged. However, HDDs were a positive predictor of hydroelectric electricity production, where 48.9% of the variability in the clean energy source was explained by an ARIMA model. Implications related to base load electricity from fossil fuels, and future electricity generation projections relative to extremes and climate change are discussed.

Carbon Dioxide Absorption Behavior and Carbonate Ion Transport of Lithium Orthosilicate / Molten Carbonate Coexistence System

Recently, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been conducted in the wake of the increase related to global warming. Various kinds of silicate and related oxides show large stoichiometry absorption amounts CO2 in a wide temperature range and several of these materials which show reversible reaction are recyclable [1, 2].Among ceramic CO2 absorbents, lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) has a large absorptive capacity (36.7 wt%) and heat resistance. Li4SiO4 absorbs and desorbs CO2with the following equilibrium reaction at the temperature around 993 K. Li4SiO4 + CO2 ⇄ Li2CO3 + Li2SiO3 Such silicates can be applied to a gas separation material of molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs) and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) due to similar temperature between transition temperature (993 K) and operating temperature, which is utilized for carbon dioxide capture storage (CCS) technology of capturing emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere for the above reason [2, 3]. In this study, we focused on the absorption behaviors of CO2 at lower temperature into Li4SiO4 in combination of these two methods and evaluated the physicochemical dependence of surface properties of CO2 absorption reaction. SiO2 powder and Li2CO3 powder were mixed at the molar ratio Li/Si = 4.0. The mixture was calcined at 973 K for 20 h in air. The resulting powder (Li4SiO4) kept in an Argon atmosphere glove box and mixed with a given amount of K2CO3. Each mixture (2.5 g) was ground for 0-300 minutes using planetary ball-milling equipment.All samples were characterized with XRD, TG-DTA, N2-isotherm, SEM, SEM-EDX, N2-isotherm, ESR and electrochemical measurement. The relation between the temperature and the absorbed amount to the additive amount was measured. An increase of sample weight by CO2 absorption was confirmed from about 773 K regardless of the increasing additive amount of K2CO3. As a result, only the 5 mol% K2CO3 added system was the least, is evaluated from the viewpoint of not lowering the theoretical capacity of the following contents. Hereafter, the system that hadn’t added K2CO3 will be called Li4SiO4, and the system that had 5 mol% K2CO3 added will be called Li/K.XRD pattern of after the ball-milled of two above-mentioned systems was measured. Specific surface areas of each sample were measured by BET method from the result of N2-isotherm. Their surface areas linearly increased with the milling time increased. In this report, we examined the sample obtained by milled for 120 minutes whose specific surface area was the largest. SEM images shows the sample after the ball milling process had decreased particle sizes and the surface morphologies became complex. The change in the absorption amount according to the grinding processing time of lithium orthosilicate was measured. There are two different absorption processes in ball-milled samples. It was suggested that absorption confirmed around 300-700 K occurred at the surface and above 700 K occurred in the bulk diffusion of CO2. Then, the result of isothermal analysis for above-mentioned two processes at 873 K was calculated. These isotherms were fitted to a double exponential model (Eq. (1)) [4] V＝A exp(-k1t )＋B exp(-k2t)＋C (1) The k1 values obtained are at least one order of magnitude higher than those obtained for the k2 constants, over the entire systems. These values are in good agreement with previous reports [4], where the CO2 chemisorption controlled by diffusion process is the limiting step of the whole reaction processes. When seen in detail, the value of A increased with the grinding process and adding the carbonate. These results shows the absorbed amount on the surface increased, and indicates that there were a lot of active spots on the surface from the result of ESR and the external shell, generated from CO2 absorption reaction, became a molten state by adding the carbonate. Also, the value of B was increased with grinding process in Li4SiO4 system. It indicates the external shell was mesoporous. In Li/K system, the reaction place increased at interface because of the external shell became molten state and easily occurred bulk diffusion. Moreover, in Li/K system grinded, both reaction rate and absorption amount become the maximum. Based on the above-mentioned results, we calculated activation parameter at 873 K from Eyring equation. Gibbs free activation energy (ΔG‡ ) was decreased with grinding and adding the carbonate showed in Figure 1. Figure 1

Improving Performance of Electric Vehicle with a Combination of Renewable Sources and Supercapacitor

The fossil fuels on earth are depleting day by day, and the pollution like air, soil, water, noise etc are increasing by these. The increasing cost of the fuels is also a point of concern. So, the universe is on the way to use mostly the renewable energy for all the purposes of daily need rather than the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation, kitchen, industry and also, for the energy used for transportation. The electric vehicle is thus proposed to overcome the fuel problem. The main challenge of electric vehicle is to charge the storage battery to continue the drive as long as need. At present, charging of the battery bank is done by manual plug-in the vehicle with the electrical power source or by using the solar photovoltaic (PV) cells [2]. The PV charging serves an important role but the unavailability of solar light for whole day (24 hours) is a big issue. So, this work is a forward step to make the charging more efficient with the combination of wind generator and solar PV cells. Wind generator will give the energy to the storage system when the vehicle is on running state while PV cells do charging when the sun is available.

Economic feasibility of tidal stream and wave power in post-Fukushima Japan

Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, Japan has relied on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, but is quickly increasing its share of renewable energy sources. Recent development has been in biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar PV, though little attention has been given to the potential of marine energy resources. The present paper carries out an analysis of the economic viability of this resource using real wave and tidal current data. The results show that marine energy technologies could be cost-effective at several locations in Japan, and can pragmatically add reliable and predictable power to the energy generation mix. Deployed in straits with strong tidal flows near large population centers in western Japan, SeaGen and Verdant-type tidal turbines are shown to operate at costs far below the current price of electricity in the country. In northern Japan, the Aquabuoy, Pelamis, WaveDragon, and Guarda-type Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters show costs near the current price of electricity. Even though Aquabuoy and Pelamis are now defunct, it is likely that in the future new generation wave energy converters would be able to produce electricity at even lower costs and further enhance the practicality of developing wave power in northern Japan.

A computable general equilibrium assessment of Japan’s nuclear energy policy and implications for renewable energy

This study assesses the economic and environmental impacts of Japan’s nuclear power scenarios and examines the implications for renewable energy. To assess nuclear power scenarios, we use the following three scenarios: “new policy scenario” of the International Energy Agency as a reference; a 40-year operational time limit of nuclear power plants; and no restart of nuclear power plants. For all scenarios, renewable energy with feed-in tariffs is considered. In addition, to assess the impact on the international competitiveness of Japanese industry, we construct a multi-regional, recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model based on version 8.1 of the Global Trade Analysis Project database. Compared to the reference scenario, the other two scenarios increase CO2 emissions through an increase in fossil fuel electricity generation and decreases Japan’s real gross domestic product, although renewable energy supply also increases. In particular, a nuclear power phase-out negatively impacts Japan’s energy-intensive and trade-exposed sectors. However, our model does not consider externalities from fossil fuel usage and nuclear risk. The results of this simulation study represent the first step in answering important questions on energy policy but further research on externalities of fossil fuel and nuclear power usage should be conducted.

Exploring untapped energy potential of urban solid waste

There is continuous increase in quantum and variety of waste being generated by anthropogenic activities. Burgeoning amount of waste being generated has potential to harm the environment and human health. Aggravating the problem, ever-increasing energy demand is putting strain on the non-renewable sources of energy and there is huge gap between the demand and supply of energy. This has led the scientific communities to adopt innovative methods to reduce, reuse and recycle them. Therefore, there is an urgent need to minimize the quantity of waste and meet the current demand profile of energy is required; technologies to recover energy from waste can play a vital role in substantial energy recovery and reduction in waste for final disposal; in addition to meet the rising energy requirement. Generating power from waste has greatly reduced the environmental impact and dependency on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Economically also it is an optimal solution for recovery of heat and power from waste. This paper gives an overview of energy potential stored in waste, major available waste-to-energy technologies and also strategic action plan for implementation of these technologies.

Book Review: Culture, Politics, and Climate Change: How Information Shapes Our Common Future, edited by Deserai A. Crow and Maxwell T. Boykoff

Culture, Politics, and Climate Change: How Information Shapes Our Common Future. Deserai A. Crow and Maxwell T. Boykoff, eds. London, UK: Routledge, 2015. 225 pp. $155 hbk. $49.95 pbk.Given that global warming (a.k.a. climate change) may be the greatest existential threat challenging the future of the human race and the flora and fauna with which we share the Earth, we have seen no shortage of books describing the problem, and proposing various solutions. Co-editor Maxwell T. Boykoff, who has been a major figure in honing a focus in human communication vis-a-vis climate change, does not contribute directly to this collection (except as a co-editor), but his work is often cited because it provides important frame for discussion, most notably Balance as Bias: Global Warming and the U.S. Prestige Press (2004) in Global Environmental Change.This is a collection of papers, and as with many such collections, quality is uneven.However, this book raises some provocative questions. In its first chapter, for example, Cheryl Hall asks whether gloom and doom warnings may be counterproductive, an ineffective frame . . . fostering resistance, apathy, and or despair instead of hope and motivation to change. This is important issue that affects how people respond to what, for most, is a slow-motion crisis often parsed in the future tense, even as temperatures rise, droughts and deluges intensify, the Arctic ice cap melts, and the oceans acidify to the point where some mussels along the Washington Coast have gone sterile.The gloom-and-doom scenario intensifies as scientists and risk communicators shout louder, to try and shake some sense into people. For example, scientists may explain the nature of thermal inertia: takes roughly 50 years for greenhouse emissions into the atmosphere to affect the geophysical system; thus, the climate we experience today is a reaction to the greenhouse-gas levels of the 1960s. Scientists who understand the geophysics thus share a sense of urgency often not shared by others. Hall asserts that divorcing positive visions from necessary sacrifices is a false choice, and that It will have to be both. Thus, we can share some good news about wind and solar power, which are becoming cost competitive with fossil fuels for electricity generation. In 2014, for the first time, new installed electric capacity in wind and solar exceeded that of oil, gas, and coal.Matthew Tegelberg, Dmitry Yagodin, and Adrienne Russell point out in #CLIMATENEWS: Summit Journalism and Digital Networks that news coverage of global warming reached a peak in 2007, with considerable attention to Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth, as well as a Nobel Prize for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). …

Contribution of the sugar cane industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector: the case of Mauritius

The aim of this paper was to present the contribution of the sugar cane industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector. Mauritius is taken as a case study. Sugar cane was introduced in Mauritius during the seventeenth century and production of sugar started around 60 years later. Since then, the cane industry has been one of the economic pillars of the country. Bagasse, a by-product of sugar cane, is used as fuel in cogeneration power plants to produce process heat and electricity. This process heat and the generated electricity are used by an annexed sugar mills for the production of sugar, while the remaining electricity is exported to the national grid. In fact, Mauritius is a pioneer in the field of bagasse-based cogeneration power plant; the first bagasse-based cogeneration power plant that was commissioned in the world was in Mauritius in 1957. The contribution of the cane industry in the electricity sector has been vital for the economic development of Mauritius and also in terms of mitigating carbon dioxide emissions by displacing fossil fuels in electricity generation, as bagasse is classified as a renewable source. Data obtained from Statistics Mauritius on electricity production for the past 45 years were analysed, and carbon dioxide emissions were calculated based on international norms. It is estimated that savings on heavy fuel oil importation were by 1.5 million tons of oil—representing a value of 2.9 billion dollars—thus avoiding 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This figure can be further increased if molasses, a by-product of sugar cane juice, is used to produce bio-ethanol to be used as fuel in vehicles.

Air Pollution In Mid-20Th Century United States: Effects On Infant Mortality And Property Values

This paper studies the local impact of air pollution on infant mortality and housing prices. The empirical analysis relies on the historical expansion in fossil fuel electricity generation from 1938 to 1962, the leading source of domestic coal consumption by the mid-20th century. Combining newly digitized information on plant-level coal consumption with county-level air quality measures and infant mortality rates, we find that increases in coal consumption are associated with higher concentrations of total suspended particulates (TSPs) and increases in infant mortality. Our estimates suggest that the rise in power plant emissions was re- sponsible for an additional 9,486 infant deaths over the sample period. We examine whether these health costs were capitalizated into housing values. Although estimates of the average marginal willingness to pay for clean air are close to zero, there appears to be significant heterogeneity in the housing market response. At low levels of baseline electricity access, thermal power plants are considered an amenity by local residents. As access to electricity expands, the pollution costs overwhelm the benefits of energy production, and the rela- tionship between thermal emissions and housing prices reverses. These results highlight a challenge for current energy policy in the developing world: Given the longevity of electric- ity generation infrastructure, policymakers must take into account both current and future preferences for thermal power when making investment decisions.

CO2 emissions from Iran's power sector and analysis of the influencing factors using the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model

ABSTRACTThe current status of CO2 emissions from Iran's power sector and the socio-economic factors that influence these emissions are fully covered in this paper. To begin, the amount of CO2 emissions is calculated based on the IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories. The analysis of socio-economic influencing parameters is performed by the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model using population size, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, electricity intensity and consumption of energy resources for electricity generation. Then CO2 emissions related to the electricity consumption in six sectors (residential, industrial, public, agriculture, trade and lighting) as well as grid losses and internal electricity consumption of power plants are estimated. Finally, CO2 emissions from Iran's power sector are compared with their alternatives in Turkey and China. The results indicate that CO2 emissions increased from 78.778 Tg in 2003 to 149.691 Tg in 2013, and the average CO2 specific emission factor is 571.29 g/kWh. The outputs of the STIRPAT model illustrate that population size, GDP per capita, electricity intensity and the consumption of fossil fuels for electricity generation positively influence CO2 emissions, while electricity generation by hydropower, renewable energies and nuclear energy negatively do.

Attributional life cycle assessment of mounted 1.8 kWp monocrystalline photovoltaic system with batteries and comparison with fossil energy production system

Abstract The use of renewable technologies will increase with the requirement to meet carbon reduction targets. However, this must be done in a sustainable manner. This paper compares the impact of the current Lebanese electricity system with production of electricity from PV. This is the first paper to look at how the addition of PV to this system, and explores the potential impact. As many electricity networks in the region suffer from similar issues and have similar climates this research will not only inform the Lebanese system, but can be used to influence and inform impacts of other systems. It evaluates the environmental impact, and therefore the actual sustainability, of a 1.8 kWp monocrystalline Photovoltaic (PV) system with and without Lead-Acid batteries (PbA) compared to the existing centralised electricity production mix and decentralised diesel neighbourhood gensets. The analysis is rigorous as it is conducted using the methodology of life cycle assessment (LCA), using the SimaPro software (Ecoinvent 2.2 database) and ReCiPe 2008 method for impact assessment. The environmental impacts of the PV technology are compared to that of the existing fossil fuel electricity generation mix. Results, using the functional unit of 1 kW h, indicate that the PV system, even when equipped with PbA batteries, has a lower environmental burden per delivered output compared to the Lebanese electricity mix, and even more so when decentralised diesel neighbourhood gensets are taken into account. The results of the analysis allows to calculate a series of parameters such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) (0.0402 kg CO 2eq /kW h and 0.0389 kg CO 2eq /kW h), Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) (4.41 MJ/kW h and 4.39 MJ/kW h), Gross Energy Requirement (GER) (1.23 and 1.22), Energy Pay-Back Time (EPBT) (16.9 years and 16.1 years), Carbon Dioxide Pay-Back Time (CO 2eq PBT) (3.52 years and 3.21 years), and Net Energy Ratio (NER) (1.48 and 1.55) for the PV system with and without PbA batteries.

Performance of evacuated tube solar collectors at high temperature differentials

Integration of renewable energy into industrial process streams is becoming increasingly important as concerns arise surrounding reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. Superheated steam (SS) is a valuable process medium, both for its capacity to carry energy and to remove moisture from biological materials, which stands to benefit from integration of solar energy since the only input required is high-quality heat. Though solar energy represents an abundant resource, its exploitation is currently very limited. Evacuated tube solar collectors (ETSC) are capable of delivering energy at temperatures in excess of 200 C, and were evaluated for their feasibility for integration into a SS process stream. Experimental results showed that SS could be generated using ETSC at temperatures up to 178 C at an efficiency of 8.95%, with efficiency shown to decrease with increasing temperature differential. Further investigation indicated that operation of the ETSC at such high temperature differentials may have a detrimental effect on the materials used in their construction. After 28 loading cycles, component failure began to occur at temperatures of 178 C. Conclusions drawn from this study were that while ETSC are capable of producing high-quality SS, they are not feasible for independent integration into an industrial process stream due to low efficiency and component failure.

A study of bovine and human carbonic anhydrases as a model enzyme system for CO2 hydration in post combustion capture

The Post Combustion Capture (PCC) process is currently the most applicable and effective approach to reduce emissions of CO2 from fossil fuel electricity generation. If the rate of CO2 hydration can be accelerated, the size of the absorber column can be reduced accordingly. Carbonic anhydrase type II (CAII), being one of the most active enzymes known for the reaction of CO2 with H2O, is a promising catalyst for CO2 absorption in aqueous solution for PCC application. In this study, the catalytic efficiencies of human (hCAII), wild type bovine (wtbCAII), and a series of wtbCAIIs (bCAM1–bCAM9) structurally modified in an attempt to improve thermal and salt stability were determined by stopped-flow spectrophotometry at 25°C. wtbCAII and hCAII were found to have the highest activity for the hydration of CO2 while bCAM9 was the least efficient catalyst (catalytic rate constants of 1.198(6)×108, 1.14(1)×108 and 0.77(2)×108M−1s−1, respectively). The remaining mutants have similar catalytic efficiencies for CO2 hydration and fall in the range of 8.63(6)×107–1.072(2)×108M−1s−1. In addition to these results, this study also verifies the analytical method developed for the study of enzymatic systems.

A Bayesian stochastic frontier analysis of Chinese fossil-fuel electricity generation companies

This paper analyses the technical efficiency of Chinese fossil-fuel electricity generation companies from 1999 to 2011, using a Bayesian stochastic frontier model. The results reveal that efficiency varies among the fossil-fuel electricity generation companies that were analysed. We also focus on the factors of size, location, government ownership and mixed sources of electricity generation for the fossil-fuel electricity generation companies, and also examine their effects on the efficiency of these companies. Policy implications are derived.

Beyond wind: furthering development of clean energy in South Australia

The deep and rapid decarbonisation of electricity supply systems is an essential component of mitigating the impacts of climate change. Despite a high penetration of wind-generated electricity (27%), South Australia remains connected to, and reliant on, one of the most coal-intensive electricity grids in the world – Australia’s National Electricity Market. Here we explore the changes to South Australia’s electricity generation in the context of the recent, large expansion of wind-generated electricity, the impacts of this expansion, and the potential for alternative, low-emissions technologies to help the State complete the decarbonisation task. We find that although the expansion of the wind-generation sector in South Australia has delivered meaningful reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions in just over 10 years, the limitations of strongly correlated and variable electricity supply that is decoupled from electricity demand place upper limits on the plausible future contribution from wind. System costs arise from integrating these sources, both from managing uncorrelated supply and the declining availability of ancillary services such as the frequency control provided by synchronous generators. These costs have been minimal to date, largely due to the connection to the National Electricity Market and already available, open-cycle gas turbines as reserve margins. However, evidence of large-scale integration costs is emerging and expected to increase should wind continue to grow in penetration. Development of the South Australian hot dry-rock geothermal resource has confirmed the well-documented challenges in developing this energy source, with still no operating power supply after more than 30 years of development. Solar–thermal technology remains uneconomic in the absence of either substantial subsidies or high carbon pricing. Given these inherent constraints, the deployment of nuclear energy technology provides the pathway of greatest technical and economic certainty for the permanent displacement of fossil-fuelled baseload electricity generation in South Australia. Nuclear power is, however, hampered by legislative barriers and requirements for the development of legal and regulatory frameworks. Support for the nuclear option is broadening within South Australia, and innovative economic development strategies based on the deployment of generation IV ‘integral fast reactors’ could spur the necessary bi-partisan political support to transition the State’s electricity supply entirely to low-emissions sources.

Uncertainty in energy planning: Estimating the health impacts of air pollution from fossil fuel electricity generation

Costs of external effects such as health impacts of energy production are not reflected in market prices and as a result are often not taken into account during strategic energy planning. Computationally efficient, reduced-form models that estimate the health impact of air pollution from fossil fuel fired electricity generation can reduce the time and resources needed to analyze policy alternatives. Such models are currently being used for preliminary screening, retrospective studies, as well as in comprehensive multi-pollutant economy-wide approaches. One challenge faced by energy planners concerned with lowering emissions, particularly those using integrated multi-model frameworks for analysis, lies in the trade-off between the uncertainty associated with reduced-form air quality models and the need for sophisticated photochemical modeling that can be prohibitively time and resource intensive.

Thermokinetic properties and performance evaluation of benzylamine-based solvents for CO2 capture

Carbon dioxide (CO2) post combustion capture and storage is the most mature technology option for the mitigation of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel electricity generation. Typically CO2 separation at low pressure is achieved by reactive chemical absorption using aqueous amines. In this work benzylamine (BZA) has been assessed in terms of the chemical and physical properties relevant for its application as an aqueous amine CO2 absorbent. BZA was found to have similar reaction kinetics with CO2 to monoethanolamine (MEA) (kcarb=7600M−1s−1 at 35°C and Ea=38kJmol−1) and similar carbamate stability but with a ∼40% larger enthalpy of protonation. It was also found to be less corrosive and have lower viscosity and heat capacity. Significant performance gains relative to MEA 30wt% were predicted by using BZA in a formulation with either MEA or 2-amino-2-methyl-1-proponal (AMP) with predicted reductions in reboiler duty up to 13%, improvements in mass transfer up to 20% and low corrosion potential.

Integrated Resource Planning for Long-term Electricity Supply in Selected GMS Countries, Part 1:Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

The scarcity of fossil fuel to supply the high growth in energy demand in the selected Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is leading to the concern about future electricity supply. The effect of the high fossil fuel price on the global market would lead to limitation in economic development in this region. In 2007, most countries in the selected GMS, namely Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, used abundant fossil fuels in electricity generation. Fossil fuels used in power generation accounted for 90%, 85%, 60%, and 1.5% in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, respectively. This study includes the integrated resource planning (IRP) concept into the long-term power planning. IRP is the most appropriate approach that applied to both demand and supply sides. To curb the high growth in electricity demand, the demand-side management options are taken into account. To reduce the high dependency on imported fossil fuel, the domestic renewable energy resources and reduction in transmission and distribution losses are introduced. Results of this study were analyzed by using the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning system model. Results reveal that under the IRP concept, the selected GMS countries could save the installed power capacity of 5,780 MW by 2030.

Short and long-term carbon balance of bioenergy electricity production fueled by forest treatments.

BackgroundForests store large amounts of carbon in forest biomass, and this carbon can be released to the atmosphere following forest disturbance or management. In the western US, forest fuel reduction treatments designed to reduce the risk of high severity wildfire can change forest carbon balance by removing carbon in the form of biomass, and by altering future potential wildfire behavior in the treated stand. Forest treatment carbon balance is further affected by the fate of this biomass removed from the forest, and the occurrence and intensity of a future wildfire in this stand. In this study we investigate the carbon balance of a forest treatment with varying fates of harvested biomass, including use for bioenergy electricity production, and under varying scenarios of future disturbance and regeneration.ResultsBioenergy is a carbon intensive energy source; in our study we find that carbon emissions from bioenergy electricity production are nearly twice that of coal for the same amount of electricity. However, some emissions from bioenergy electricity production are offset by avoided fossil fuel electricity emissions. The carbon benefit achieved by using harvested biomass for bioenergy electricity production may be increased through avoided pyrogenic emissions if the forest treatment can effectively reduce severity.ConclusionForest treatments with the use of harvested biomass for electricity generation can reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere by offsetting fossil fuel electricity generation emissions, and potentially by avoided pyrogenic emissions due to reduced intensity and severity of a future wildfire in the treated stand. However, changes in future wildfire and regeneration regimes may affect forest carbon balance and these climate-induced changes may influence forest carbon balance as much, or more, than bioenergy production.