Reduction of Carbon Intensity

Author(s):  
Md. Mahfuzar Rahman Chowdhury

Global warming is unequivocal and almost certainly caused by recent human activities that have increased the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions reductions of carbon dioxide and cumulative carbon emissions from energy consumption have created widespread concern of various government agencies, scientific circle, and the general public. The states and the international community are simultaneously struggling to address climate change. Impacts of carbon emission are inevitable and there is a long debate as to who bears the losses incurred due to the carbon emission. Both the developing and the developed economies need to reduce their CO2 intensity significantly for stabilizing the Earth's climate at no more than a 2°C temperature rise. However, for the sake of health, safety, and environment, the supply of oil and gas as well as emission of carbon need to be operated in an environmentally sustainable manner so as to avoid environmental harms.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Batool ◽  
A Neven ◽  
Y Vanrompay ◽  
M Adnan ◽  
P Dendale

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Special Research Fund (BOF), Hasselt University Introduction The transportation sector is one of the major sectors influencing climate change, contributing around 16% of total Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Aviation contributes to 12% of the transport related emissions. Among other climate change impacts, elevated heat exposure is associated with increased cardiac events and exposure to air pollution caused by GHG emissions has also well-known association with increased cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. The global temperature rise should be restricted to less than 2 °C which requires keeping carbon emission (CO2) less than 2900 billion tonnes by the end of the 21st century. Assuming air travel a major contributing source to GHG, this study aims to raise the awareness about potential carbon emissions reduction due to air travel of international events like a scientific conference. Purpose Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the Preventive cardiology conference 2020 which was planned to be held at Malaga Spain, instead was held in virtual online way. This study aims to calculate the contribution of reduced CO2  emissions in tons due to ESC preventive cardiology conference 2020, which was then held online and air travel of the registered participants was avoided. Methods Anonymized participant registration information was used to determine the country and city of the 949 registered participants of the Preventive Cardiology conference 2020. It is assumed that participants would have travelled from the closest airports from their reported city locations to Malaga airport, Spain. At first, the closest city airports were determined using Google maps and flights information, then the flight emissions (direct and indirect CO2-equivalent emissions) per passenger for the given flight distances were calculated. The CO2 emissions (tons) were calculated for round trips in economy class from the participants of 68 nationalities (excluding 60 participants from Spain as they are assumed to take other modes of transport than airplane). Results In total, 1156.51 tons of CO2  emissions were saved by turning the physical conference into a virtual event. This emission amount is equivalent to the annual CO2 production of 108 people living in high-income countries. Conclusion The pandemic situation has forced us to rethink the necessity of trips by air and has shown us the feasibility of digitally organized events. The information from this study can add to the awareness about reduced amount of carbon emission due to air travel by organizing events in a virtual way when possible. Apart from only digitally organized events there are others options to reduce the carbon footprint of conferences such as limiting the number of physical attendees, encouraging the use of relatively sustainable transport modes for participants from nearby countries (e.g. international trains and use of active transport modes at conference venue etc.) and including CO2 emission offsetting costs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Yong YI ◽  
Han-Seong GWAK ◽  
Dong-Eun LEE

Low carbon construction is an important operation management goal because greenhouse gas (GHG) reduc­tion has become a global concern. Major construction resources that contribute GHG, such as equipment and labour, are being targeted to achieve this goal. The GHG emissions produced by the resources vary with their operating conditions. It is commendable to provide a statistical GHG emission estimation method that models the transitory nature of resource states at micro-scale of construction operations. This paper proposes a computational method called Stochastic Carbon Emission Estimation (SCE2) that measures the variability of GHG emissions. It creates construction operation models consisting of atomic work tasks, utilizes hourly equipment fuel consumption and hourly labourer respiratory rates that change according to their operating conditions classified into five categories, and identifies an optimal resource combi­nation by trading off eco-economic performance metrics such as the amount of GHG emissions, operation completion time, operation completion cost, and productivity. The study is of value to researchers because SCE2 fill in a gap to eco-economic operation modelling and analysis tool which considers operating conditions at micro-scale of construction operation having many stochastic work tasks. This study is also relevance to practitioners because it allows project man­agers to achieve eco-economic goals while honouring predefined constraints associated with time and cost.


2013 ◽  
Vol 291-294 ◽  
pp. 3004-3013
Author(s):  
Ding Ma ◽  
Li Ning Wang ◽  
Wen Ying Chen

At a time of increased international concern and negotiation for GHG emissions reduction, country studies on the underlying effects of GHG growth gain importance. China experienced continuous, rapid economic growth over the past. At the same time, energy consumption and CO2 emissions increased rapidly while the energy intensity and carbon intensity showed a downward trend at country level. What factors were driving this change? What measures can be adopted to ensure the continual decrease of energy intensity and carbon intensity? The refined IDA method is employed in this paper to identify the impact of each factor. A year-by-year decomposition is carried out at sector level, and various interesting results on the underlying effects are found. The results yield important hints for the planning of energy and climate policy.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2154
Author(s):  
Angelo Maiorino ◽  
Adrián Mota-Babiloni ◽  
Manuel Gesù Del Duca ◽  
Ciro Aprea

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) incorporated in refrigerators can be used to shift their energy consumption from peak periods, when the electric network energy demand is the highest, to off-peak periods. While PCMs can flatten the energy demand curve, they can achieve economic savings if Time-of-Use (TOU) electricity tariffs are applied. However, the hourly carbon emission factor is not commonly linked to the hourly tariff, and the final CO2 emitted due to the operations of the refrigerator would not be fully optimized. In this work, a method based on the Simulated Annealing optimization technique was proposed to identify the optimal working schedule of a cabinet refrigerator incorporating a PCM to reduce its indirect carbon emissions. Data from countries with different representative carbon intensity profiles were used. The normalized standard deviation and normalized range are the best statistical indexes to predict carbon emission reduction in the proposed solution. These parameters proved that countries with a higher hourly carbon intensity variation (Uruguay, France, Denmark, and Germany) benefit from the application of the algorithm. Cost and carbon emission reduction cannot be maximized simultaneously, and a trade-off is required.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (07) ◽  
pp. 64-64
Author(s):  
Nigel Jenvey

Have you noticed the change in the oil and gas industry over the past year with its engagement in carbon management, decarbonization, and net-zero-emissions targets? Policy support and technology advances in alternative energies have delivered massive cost reduction in renewables more quickly, and to a greater degree, than expected. Over the past few years, more of the world’s capital has been spent on electricity than oil and gas sup-ply, and more than half of all new energy-generation capacity is now renewable. Some elements of society, therefore, have suggested that this is the beginning of the end for the fossil-fuel sector and call for investors to turn away from oil and gas and “leave it in the ground.” In more than a century of almost continuous change, however, the oil and gas industry has a long track record of innovative thinking, creative solutions, and different business models. SPE papers and events that covered decarbonization during the past year show that a wide variety of solutions already exist that avoid, reduce, replace, offset, or sequester greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is clear, therefore, that decarbonization technologies will now be as important as 4D seismic, horizontal wells, and hydraulic fracturing. That is why we now bring you this inaugural Technology Focus feature dedicated to decarbonization. The experience and capability of the entire JPT community in decarbonization is critical. Please enjoy the following summary of three selected papers on the role of natural gas in fuel-switching; carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS); and hydrogen technologies that deliver the dual challenge of providing more energy with less GHG emission. There are many ways to engage in the SPE decarbonization efforts in the remainder of 2021. Regional events have addressed CCUS, hydrogen, geothermal, and methane. There is also the new SPE Gaia sustainability program to enable and empower all members who wish to engage in the alignment of the future of energy with sustainable development. The Gaia program has an on-demand library of materials, including an existing series on methane, and upcoming similar events on other energy transition, natural capital and regeneration, and social responsibility priorities. Get involved through your SPE section or chapter or contact your regional Gaia liaison to find out what Gaia programming you can support or lead at www.spe.org/en/gaia.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Shih-Feng Tsai

<span lang="EN-US">Aiming at six big emerging economies in the world, namely, China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Japan, this paper analyzes their carbon emission conditions based on the data of carbon emission, energy consumption and economic development during 1970—2008 from the statistics in the World Development Index Database (WDI) of the World Bank, and carries out empirical analyses based on theories &amp; policies and driving factors of their low carbon economy. It is found that energy intensity, economic growth and urbanization progress exert more remarkable influences on carbon intensity, and the effect of carbon emission reduction depending on government fiancé is not sustainable. Thus, this paper is intended to explain that China needs more actively promoting green sustainable towns with its sustainable development, and developing urban low carbon industries and buildings for more civilized ecological towns.</span>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Wilbur

Whole-building model optimizations have been performed for a single-detached house in 5 locations with varying climates, electricity emissions factors, and energy costs. The multi-objective optimizations determine the life-cycle cost vs. operational greenhouse gas emissions Pareto front to discover the 30-year life-cycle least-cost building design heated 1) with natural gas, and 2) electrically using a) central air-source heat pump, b) ductless mini-split heat pump c)ground-source heat pump, and d) electric baseboard, accounting for both initial and operational energy-related costs. A net-zero carbon design with grid-tied photovoltaics is also optimized. Results indicate that heating system type influences the optimal enclosure design, and that neither building total energy use, nor space heating demand correspond to GHG emissions across heating system types. In each location, at least one type of all-electric design has a lower life-cycle cost than the optimized gas-heated model, and such designs can mitigate the majority of operational GHG emissions from new housing in locations with a low carbon intensity electricity supply.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10
Author(s):  
Judit Toth ◽  
Sandor Szlovák ◽  
Robert Magda

Abstract The model of Blue Economy by G. Pauli is inspired by nature. Its main task is to develop innovative methods based on the use of available resources and the use of nature-based solutions. The principle of Blue Economy requires close cooperation of research and development and business activities; and it seeks implementation options in the structure of local economies. Based on the theory known as ‘blue economy’, in order to overcome certain problems of mankind – for example, energy production and consumption –, we must recognize and use some methods given to us by nature. This may be provided to us by new innovations that think according to system theory, that is, occupy the exceptionally effective self-regulating processes of nature in the economy. Methanol may play a key role in succeeding sustainability regarding nature, economy and society. Methanol economy can contribute to reducing human impacts on Earth’s climate by reversing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and it provides the opportunity to get rid of our dependence on dwindling oil and gas resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (06) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Judy Feder

We talk about “the energy transition” as if it were some type of unified, global event. Instead, numerous approaches to energy transitions are taking place in parallel, with all of the “players” moving at different paces, in different directions, and with different guiding philosophies. Which companies are best positioned to survive and thrive, and why? This article takes a look at what several top energy research and business intelligence firms are saying. What a Difference a Year Makes Prior to 2020—in fact, as recently as the 2014 bust that followed the shale boom—the oil and gas industry weathered downturns by “tightening their belts” and “doing more with less” in the form of cutting capital expenditures and costs, tapping credit lines, and improving operational efficiency. Adopting advanced digitalization and cognitive technologies as integral parts of the supply chain from 2015 to 2019 led to significant performance improvements as companies dealt with “shale shock.” Then, in 2020, a strange thing happened. Just as disruptive technologies like electric vehicles and solar photovoltaic and new batteries were gaining traction and decarbonization and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues were rising to the top of global social and policy agendas, COVID-19 left companies with almost nothing to squeeze from their supply chains, and budget cuts had a direct impact on operational performance and short-term operational plans. To stabilize their returns, many oil and gas companies revised and reshaped their portfolios and business strategies around decarbonization and alternative energy sources. The result: The investment in efforts toward effecting energy transition surpassed $500 billion for the first time in early 2021 ($501.3 billion, a 9% increase over 2019, according to BloombergNEF) despite the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. According to Wood Mackenzie, carbon emissions and carbon intensity are now key metrics in any project’s final investment decision. And, Rystad Energy said that greenhouse-gas emissions are declining faster than what is outlined in many conventional models regarded as aggressive scenarios. In Rystad’s model, electrification levels will reach 80% by 2050. A Look at the Playing Field: Energy Transition Pillars In a February 2021 webinar, Rystad discussed what leading exploration and production (E&P) companies are doing to keep up with the energy transition and stay investable in the rapidly changing market environment. The consulting firm researched the top 25 E&P companies based on their oil and gas production in 2020 and analyzed how they approach various market criteria in “three pillars of energy transition in the E&P sector” that the firm regards as key distinguishers and important indicators of potential success (Fig. 1). The research excludes national oil companies (NOCs) except for those with international activity (INOCs). Rystad says these 25 companies are responsible for almost 40% of global hydrocarbon production and the same share of global E&P investments and believes the trends within this peer group are representative on a global scale.


Energy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 122175
Author(s):  
Xiongfeng Pan ◽  
Shucen Guo ◽  
Haitao Xu ◽  
Mengyuan Tian ◽  
Xianyou Pan ◽  
...  

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