scholarly journals Electrification Potential of U.S. Industrial Boilers and Assessment of the GHG Emissions Impact

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Schoeneberger ◽  
Jingyi Zhang ◽  
Colin McMillan ◽  
Jennifer B. Dunn ◽  
Eric Masanet
Keyword(s):  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Industrial Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Electric Grid ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Fuel Savings ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Industrial Boilers ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Electrification is a key strategy for decarbonizing the industrial sector. Industrial process heating, which still relies heavily on fossil fuel combustion and accounts for the majority of sector wide GHG emissions, is a particularly attractive electrification target. Electrifying industrial boilers represents a cross-cutting opportunity for GHG emissions reductions, given their widespread use in most manufacturing industries. Yet, there are gaps in the understanding of the current population of conventional industrial boilers in the United States that preclude a characterization of boiler electrification’s technical potential to reduce fuel consumption and GHG emissions. In this study, we develop an up-to-date dataset of the industrial boiler population in the U.S. and quantify the county-level electricity requirements and net changes in fuel use and GHG emissions under the current electric grid and theoretical future grid scenarios. Our results show an increase of 105 MMmtCO2e and 73 MMmtCO2e in GHG emissions from boiler electrification, with and without the replacement of byproduct fuels, respectively, under the current electric grid. GHG emissions savings are currently possible only in certain regions of the U.S. unless future grids are decarbonized. We also provide recommendations for policy makers and manufacturing facilities that would advance the electrification of industrial boilers in locations and industries toward fuel savings and GHG emissions reductions.

scholarly journals Transaction cost implications of two approaches to forests in climate change policy: New Zealand and California

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anton A. Chiono
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Cost Implications

<p>New Zealand and California present an opportunity to assess how two different designs for incorporating forests in climate policy affect transaction costs for participants in the forest sector. Forests play a prominent role in achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals established by each policy. In New Zealand, the forest sector provides an important option for domestic GHG emissions reductions in an economy where opportunities in other sectors, like agriculture and energy, may be limited. In California, offsets from forests are projected to have the greatest technical potential of any approved offset project type, and will be an important option for reducing the costs of compliance in regulated sectors. This research investigates the different approaches taken by New Zealand and California, the circumstances surrounding each policy, and the transaction cost implications for forest participants under each programme.</p>

scholarly journals BEEF SPECIES-RUMINANT NUTRITION CACTUS BEEF SYMPOSIUM: A role for beef cattle in sustainable U.S. food production1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (9) ◽  
pp. 4010-4020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire B Gleason ◽  
Robin R White
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Animal Agriculture ◽  
The U.S

Abstract The increasing global population, limited resource availability, and global focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions put pressure on animal agriculture industries to critically evaluate and optimize the role they play in a sustainable food production system. The objective of this review is to summarize evidence of the various roles that the U.S. beef industry plays in the U.S. and global agricultural systems. As the world’s largest beef producer, the United States reaps considerable economic benefit from the beef industry through strong domestic and international demand, as well as employment opportunities for many Americans. Beef production contributes to GHG emissions, land use, and water use, among other critical environmental impacts but provides an important source of essential micronutrients for human consumption. The U.S. beef industry provides sufficient product to meet the protein, vitamin B12, omega-3 and -6 fatty acid requirements of 43, 137, 47, and 487 million people, respectively. In the United States, beef production was estimated to account for 53% of GHG emissions from U.S. animal agriculture and 25% of GHG emissions from all of U.S. agriculture. Footprinting studies suggest that much of the land use and water use associated with beef production are attributed to the development of feed crops or pastureland. On a global scale, beef from U.S. origin is exported to numerous developed and developing countries, representing an important international nutrient routing. Along with other prominent beef-producing nations, the United States continues to pursue a greater level of sustainability in its cattle industry, which will bear important implications for future global food security. Efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of beef production will likely be the strongest drivers of enhanced sustainability.

scholarly journals No COVID-19 climate silver lining in the US power sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Luke ◽  
Priyanshi Somani ◽  
Turner Cotterman ◽  
Dhruv Suri ◽  
Stephen J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Power Sector ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Sustained Reduction ◽  
The Us ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
Coal Power Plants ◽  
The U.S

AbstractRecent studies conclude that the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic decreased power sector CO2 emissions globally and in the United States. In this paper, we analyze the statistical significance of CO2 emissions reductions in the U.S. power sector from March through December 2020. We use Gaussian process (GP) regression to assess whether CO2 emissions reductions would have occurred with reasonable probability in the absence of COVID-19 considering uncertainty due to factors unrelated to the pandemic and adjusting for weather, seasonality, and recent emissions trends. We find that monthly CO2 emissions reductions are only statistically significant in April and May 2020 considering hypothesis tests at 5% significance levels. Separately, we consider the potential impact of COVID-19 on coal-fired power plant retirements through 2022. We find that only a small percentage of U.S. coal power plants are at risk of retirement due to a possible COVID-19-related sustained reduction in electricity demand and prices. We observe and anticipate a return to pre-COVID-19 CO2 emissions in the U.S. power sector.

scholarly journals Air Quality and Health Benefits of Methane Policies in the United States Oil & Gas Sector

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Buonocore ◽  
Srinivas Reka ◽  
Dongmei Yang ◽  
Charles Chang ◽  
Ananya Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Production Sector ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Methane Reduction ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Excess Deaths

Abstract In 2016, air pollution from oil & gas (O&G) production in the U.S. resulted in 7,500 (95% CI: 4,500 - 12,000) excess deaths among many other health impacts, valued at $77 billion ($2016 USD) (95% CI: $27 billion - $170 billion). An ambitious methane reduction policy in 2028 would result in 1,400 (820 - 2,300) deaths compared to 2028 business as usual, while other policies would have modest effects. Regions without O&G activity experienced impact from the sector and benefits from emissions reductions. On a per ton basis, the health co-benefits per methane reduction from each policy were ~5x lower than health co-impacts from the whole production sector, since policies only apply to specific O&G production processes. We show that there are still substantial health co-benefits to policies that reduce methane emissions, however the health co-benefits can be enhanced if emissions reduction policies cover more components of O&G production.

scholarly journals Decarbonization pathways for the residential sector in the United States

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Berrill ◽  
Eric J.H. Wilson ◽  
Janet Reyna ◽  
Anthony D. Fontanini ◽  
Edgar Hertwich
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Emission Scenarios ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Residential Sector ◽  
Energy Efficiency Potential

Abstract Residential GHG emissions in the United States are driven in part by a housing stock where on-site fossil combustion is common, home sizes are large by international standards, energy efficiency potential is large, and electricity generation in many regions is GHG-intensive. In this analysis we assess decarbonization pathways for the United States residential sector to 2060, through 108 scenarios describing housing stock evolution, new housing characteristics, renovation levels, and clean electricity. The lowest emission scenarios rely on very rapid decarbonization of electricity supply alongside extensive renovations to existing homes—focused on improving thermal envelopes and heat pump electrification of heating. Reducing the size, increasing the multifamily share, and increasing the electrification of new homes provide further emission cuts, and combining all strategies enables emissions reductions of 91% between 2020 and 2050. Construction becomes the main source of emissions in the most ambitious scenarios, motivating increased attention on reducing embodied emissions.

scholarly journals Designing a Dedicated Energy Crop Supply System in Tennessee: A Multiobjective Optimization Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Edward Yu ◽  
Zidong Wang ◽  
Burton C. English ◽  
James A. Larson
Keyword(s):  
Multiobjective Optimization ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Energy Crop

A multiobjective optimization model integrating with high-resolution geographical data was applied to examine the optimal switchgrass supply system in Tennessee that considers both feedstock cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the system. Results suggest that the type of land converted into switchgrass production is crucial to both plant gate cost and GHG emissions of feedstock. In addition, a tradeoff relationship between cost and GHG emissions for the switchgrass supply is primarily driven by the type of land converted. The imputed cost of lowering GHG emissions in the feedstock supply system was also calculated based on the derived tradeoff curve.Biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is being advocated as an alternative to fossil-based transportation fuels in the United States. LCB-based biofuel production has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector and to enhance rural economic activity through more intense use of agricultural lands (English et al., 2006). The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) established in 2005 and revised in the Energy Independence and Security Act 2007 mandates 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuel (other than ethanol derived from corn starch) available for transportation use by 2022 with 16 billion gallons to be produced from LCB feedstock (U.S. Congress, 2007). Based on the recently revised One Billion Ton Update study (U. S. Department of Energy, 2011), considerable LCB feedstock, including dedicated energy crops, will be required to fulfill this goal. Notwithstanding the potential availability of LCB feedstock to meet the mandate, the cost of LCB feedstock will be an important factor influencing the sustainability of an LCB-based biofuel industrial sector.

Geographic Differences of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction From Electric Vehicle Deployment in the United States

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Yang ◽  
Chris Yuan ◽  
Xiang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
Co2 Equivalent ◽  
The U.S

The use of electric vehicle (EV) has been widely recognized as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation sector. However, the geographic difference of GHG emission reduction from EV deployment is seldom explored. This paper presents a study on the total GHG emissions generated from the life cycle of an EV (represented by Nissan Leaf) and an internal combustion vehicle (ICV) (represented by Toyota Corolla) for benchmarking on the potential emission reductions in the United States. The differences of electricity mix and driving style in each state are considered in the analysis. The results indicate a 43% GHG emissions reduction from ICV with the deployment of EV under the current average United States’ electricity generation scheme and transportation style. But the life cycle GHG emission reductions vary significantly from state to state in the U.S. Some states such as Indiana, Wyoming and West Virginia can only get 7237, 9501 and 9860 kg CO2 equivalent reduced, while some states such as Vermont, New Jersey and Idaho can get 57915, 57206 and 49039 kg CO2 equivalent GHG emissions reduced. This study can be useful in supporting future decision-making and strategy development for EV deployment in the U.S.

scholarly journals Transaction cost implications of two approaches to forests in climate change policy: New Zealand and California

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anton A. Chiono
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Transaction Cost ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Forest Sector ◽  
Emissions Reductions ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Technical Potential ◽  
Cost Implications

<p>New Zealand and California present an opportunity to assess how two different designs for incorporating forests in climate policy affect transaction costs for participants in the forest sector. Forests play a prominent role in achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals established by each policy. In New Zealand, the forest sector provides an important option for domestic GHG emissions reductions in an economy where opportunities in other sectors, like agriculture and energy, may be limited. In California, offsets from forests are projected to have the greatest technical potential of any approved offset project type, and will be an important option for reducing the costs of compliance in regulated sectors. This research investigates the different approaches taken by New Zealand and California, the circumstances surrounding each policy, and the transaction cost implications for forest participants under each programme.</p>

scholarly journals Integrating Truck Emissions Cost in Traffic Assignment

2015 ◽  
Vol 2503 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Peter Foytik ◽  
R. Michael Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Economy ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Route Choice ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Demand Model ◽  
Traffic Demand ◽  
Freight Trucks ◽  
The U.S

The adverse impacts of greenhouse gasses (GHG) and the imperative for reducing the existing rate of GHG production are well established. In the United States, the largest source of GHG emissions from human activities is from burning fossil fuels, primarily for the generation of electricity and transportation. The transportation sector accounts for 28% of all U.S. GHG production. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as large freight trucks, account for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. total, and this fraction is expected to grow rapidly. Consequently, many efforts are being used to reduce the total emissions of freight trucks. Most efforts emphasize one of four areas: engineering improvements to improve fuel economy or reduce emissions, shifts to other transport modes, improved logistics to reduce the movement of partially full or empty containers, and reduced travel costs for individual trucks. A few studies have assessed modifications to route choice considerations as a means of improving the fuel economy of individual vehicles and show potential gains. In this study, the potential gains of emissions-based route choice were assessed by integrating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency motor vehicle emission simulator with a macroscopic regional traffic demand model. For this integration, route choices included a simplified emissions calculation within the repeated model iteration runs of an algorithm of the Frank–Wolfe type. The analyses suggested that reductions of freight truck emissions were possible and showed an example in which the total system's truck emissions were reduced by up to 0.61% (88.8 tons).

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