Factors for Primary Energy Efficiency and CO 2 Emission of Geothermal Power Production

• Main Authors: Marta R Karlsdottir, Olafur P Palsson, Halldor Palsson
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1088.9740

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to produce standardized factors for primary energy efficiency (PEE) and CO 2 emission for geothermal power production. These factors, or energy performance indicators, have been developed for different types of power production methods as a form of comparison on greenhouse gas emissions and how much primary energy is needed per kWh delivered to consumers. The calculation of these factors for geothermal energy utilization has had little attention while factors for many other types of energy conversion technologies have been developed and published during the last years. The focus of this study is to calculate the primary energy (PE) and CO 2 factors for geothermal based power production based on data from the Helisheidi power plant in South-West of Iceland by using methods of life cycle assessment (LCA). The method of LCA provides a holistic approach to evaluate the total impact on environment and on consumption of primary energy and natural resources. Preliminary results on the primary energy factor for Hellisheidi geothermal power plant is found within the minimum/maximum range of 2.7 to 9 kWh primary energy per kWh electricity produced and the CO 2 emission factor is calculated to be in the minimum/maximum range of 35 -45 kg CO 2 equivalents per produced MWh. More detailed factors need to be calculated with a more extensive life cycle analysis including all processes within the life cycle of the power plant. INTRODUCTION Primary energy factors (f p ) have been developed as a form of comparison on how much primary energy is needed to deliver 1 kWh produced with different types of power production methods. Another important performance indicator for different energy conversion systems is the CO 2 emission factor, stating how much greenhouse gas emissions in CO 2 equivalent is produced per MWh of electricity or heat generated. The calculation of primary energy and CO 2 emission factors for geothermal power production has had little attention while factors for many other types of ...