Skip Navigation Links
Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management
António Mendes Lopes (editor), Jiazhong Zhang(editor)
António Mendes Lopes (editor)

University of Porto, Portugal

Email: aml@fe.up.pt

Jiazhong Zhang (editor)

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710049, China

Fax: +86 29 82668723 Email: jzzhang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn


Life cycle assessment-based urban energy structure optimization: Model estab-lishment and scenario analysis

Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management 1(2) (2013) 129--145 | DOI:10.5890/JEAM.2013.05.003

Chen Chen; Meirong Su

State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

Download Full Text PDF

 

Abstract

Energy structure optimization is vital for urban sustainable development. In this study, a multi-objective model is developed to allocate various energy resources in various urban sectors under various scenarios, aiming to minimize the total system cost, environmental impact, and energy consumption. The environmental impact incurred during the energy lifecycle, including energy production, transportation, and consumption, is evaluated using the lifecycle assessment method. The economic loss of environmental pollution during the energy lifecycle is also incorporated in the economic objective. The model is applied to Beijing, in which four energy resources (coal, oil, natural gas, and electricity) are distributed among six sectors (agriculture, industry, construction, transportation, commerce, and household). Three scenarios are formulated from the base case scenario: i.e., the energy structure adjustment scenario, the energy structure adjustment with low carbon emission scenario, and the energy structure adjustment with low carbon emission and industrial structure adjustment scenario. The results indicate a decline in the proportion of coal to total energy consumption and an increase in the corresponding proportion for the other resources. It is concluded that further increasing the utilization of natural gas and electricity while reducing coal consumption, controlling energy consumption in industry, and strengthening carbon emission restrictions will help achieve more effective and eco-friendly energy use patterns based on a comparison of the environmental impact and economic loss of pollution under all scenarios. The optimization model could provide support for the planning and management of urban energy systems.

Acknowledgments

Financial support is provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40901269, 41101564), the National Science Foundation for Innovative Research Group (No. 51121003), and the China Postdoctoral Special Foundation (Grant No. 201003063).

References

  1. [1]  Amoco, B.P. (2012), Statistical Review of World Energy 2012. Available from: http://www.bp.com/sectionbodycopy.do?categoryId=7500&contentId=7068481 (Accessed April 6, 2013)
  2. [2]  Cai, Y.P., Huang, G.H., Lin, Q.G., Nie, X.H., and Tan, Q. (2009), An optimization-model-based interactive decision support system for regional energy management systems planning under uncertainty, Expert Systems with Applications, 36(2), 3470-3482.
  3. [3]  Su, M.R., Yang, Z.F., and Chen, B. (2010), Relative urban ecosystem health assessment: A method integrating comprehensive evaluation and detailed analysis, Ecohealth, 7(4), 459-472.
  4. [4]  Wang, L., Xu, L.Y. and Song, H.M. (2011), Environmental performance evaluation of Beijing’s energy use planning, Energy Policy, 39(6), 3483-3495.
  5. [5]  Zhu, Y., Li, Y.P., and Huang, G.H. (2012), Planning municipal-scale energy systems under functional interval uncertainties, Renewable Energy, 39(1), 71-84.
  6. [6]  Henning, D., Amiri, S., and Holmgren, K. (2006), Modeling and optimization of electricity, steam and district heating production for a local Swedish utility, European Journal of Operational Research, 175(12), 1224-1247.
  7. [7]  Cormio, C., Dicorato, M., Minoia, A., and Trovato, M. (2003), A regional energy planning methodology including renewable energy sources and environmental constraints, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 7(2), 99-130.
  8. [8]  Ren, H., Zhou, W.S., Nakagami, K., Gao, W.J. and Wu, Q. (2010), Multi-objective optimization for the operation of distributed energy systems considering economic and environmental aspects, Applied Energy, 87(12), 3642-3651.
  9. [9]  Liu, D.C., Li, N., Tan, X. C., Yang, X., Wang, L., and Liu, J. B.( 2011), Study on energy strategy of Chinese capital region under the new national policy of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, Procedia Environmental Sciences, 5, 2-11.
  10. [10]  Chen, C.H., Green, C., and Wu, C.H. (2002), Application of Markal model to energy switch and pollutant emission in Shanghai, Shanghai Environmental Sciences, 21(9), 515-519. (in Chinese)
  11. [11]  International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2006), Environmental Management-Life Cycle Assessment- Principles and Framework ISO 14040.
  12. [12]  International Organization for Standardization (ISO). (2006), Environmental Management-Life Cycle Assessment- Requirements and Guidelines ISO 14044.
  13. [13]  Department of Science, Technology and Standards, P. R. C. Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China (DSTS). (1996), Manual for Industrial Pollutant Production and Emission Factors, Beijing, China: China Environmental Science Press. Available from: http://www.doc88.com/p-49635108608.html (Accessed April 6, 2013) (in Chinese).
  14. [14]  Meng, Z.L. (2006), The Method of Enterprise Energy Audit, Beijing, China: Tsinghua University Press. (in Chinese)
  15. [15]  Qiu, L.X., Lei, Z.M., and Zhou, T.J. (2006), Multi-objective decision in energy structure optimizing of China, Journal of Qingdao University of Science and Technology (Social Sciences), 3(22), 49-54. (in Chinese)
  16. [16]  Yuan, B.R., Nie, Z.R., Di, X.H., and Zuo, T.Y. (2006), Life cycle inventories of fossil fuels in China (Ⅱ): final life cycle inventories, Modern Chemical Industry, 26(4), 59-61. (in Chinese)
  17. [17]  Guo, F.Y. (2011), Beijing’s Energy Demand and Environment Integration Model and Application, Beijing: North China Electric Power University. (in Chinese)
  18. [18]  Guinee, J.B., Gorree, M., Heijungs, R., Huppes, G., Kleijn, R., Oers, L., Wegener Sleeswijk, A., Suh, S., Udo de Haes, H.A., Bruijn, H., Duin, R., and Huijbregts, M.A.J (2001), Life Cycle Assessment: An Operational Guide to the ISO Standards, Leiden, Netherlands Parts: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University. available from: http://cml.leiden.edu/research/industrialecology/researchprojects/finished/new-dutch-lca-guide.html (April 6, 2013).
  19. [19]  Yang, J.X., Xu, C., and Wang, R.S. (2002), The Product Life Cycle Assessment Methods and Application, Beijing, China: China Meteorological Press. (in Chinese)
  20. [20]  Garbaccio, R.F., Ho, M.S., and Jorgenson, D.W. (2000), The Health Benefits of Controlling Carbon Emissions in China, Cambridge: Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
  21. [21]  Kan, H.D., Chen, B.H., Chen, C.H., Fu, Q.Y., and Chen, M.H. (2004), An evaluation of public health impact of ambient air pollution under various energy scenarios in Shanghai, Atmospheric Environment, 38(1), 95-102.
  22. [22]  Pan, X.C., Yue, W., He, K.B., and Tong, S.L. ( 2007), Health benefit evaluation of the energy use scenarios in Beijing, China, Science of the Total Environment, 374(2-3), 242-251.
  23. [23]  Wang, Y. (2010), The analysis of the impacts of energy consumption on environment and public health in China, Energy, 35(11), 4473-4479.
  24. [24]  Guo, X.B. (2007), New progress in impact of atmospheric pollution on health. Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences), 39(2), 116-118.
  25. [25]  PopeⅢ, C.A., Burnett, T.R., Thun, M.J., Calle, E.E., Krewski, D., Ito, K., and Thurston, G.D. (2002), Lung cancer, cardiopulmonary mortality, and long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution, Journal of American Medical Association, 287(9), 1132-1141.
  26. [26]  World Bank (1997), Clear Water, Blue Skies: China’s Environment in the New Century, Washington, D.C.
  27. [27]  Zhang, M.S., Song, Y., and Cai, X.H. (2007), A health-based assessment of particulate air pollution in urban areas of Beijing in 2000-2004, Science of the Total Environment, 376(1-3), 100-108.
  28. [28]  Guo, J. (2004), The Estimation of Economic Losses of Material Destruction Caused by Acid Deposition, Beijing: Beijing University of Chemical Technology. (in Chinese)
  29. [29]  Jiang, Z.Y. (2008), Study on the External Cost of Nuclear Power and Coal Power in China, Beijing: Tsinghua University. (in Chinese)
  30. [30]  Wang, W.X., Hong, S.X., and Zhang, W.H. (1995), Development of material damage function for acid deposition, Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 15(1), 23-31. (in Chinese)
  31. [31]  Zhang, L.B., Cao, H.F., Shen, Y.W., Gao, J.X., Shu, J.M., Liu, L.G., and Xiong, Y.J. (1997), Effect of acidic deposition on agriculture of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Hunan, Hubei and Jiangxi provinces, China Environmental Science, 17(6), 489-491. (in Chinese)
  32. [32]  World Bank, State Environmental Protection Administration, P. R. China. (2007), Cost of Pollution in China, Washington, D.C.
  33. [33]  Wu, M.J. (2011), The Life Cycle Assessment of Coal-fired Power Generation, Taiyuan: Taiyuan University of Technology. (in Chinese)
  34. [34]  Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. (2012), Beijing Statistical Yearbook, Beijing, China. (in Chinese)
  35. [35]  Guo, S. and Chen, G.Q. (2013), Multi-scale input-output analysis for multiple responsibility entities: Carbon emission by urban economy in Beijing 2007, Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management, 1(1), 43-54.
  36. [36]  Riva, A., D'Angelosante, S., and Trebeschi, C. (2006), Natural gas and the environmental results of life cycle assessment, Energy, 31(1), 138-148.
  37. [37]  Ao, H.G., (2006), Life Cycle Assessment of the Heating Oil and Coal in Wangjiaweizi Dist, Daqing. Harbin: Harbin Institute of Technology. (in Chinese)
  38. [38]  Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform. (2011), The Energy Development And Construction Planning of Beijing in the “Twelfth Five-Year” Period, Beijing, China, Available from: http://www.bjpc.gov.cn/zt/125ny/ (Accessed April 6, 2013). (in Chinese).
  39. [39]  Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform. (2011), The Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of Beijing. Beijing, China. Available from:
  40. [40]  http://zhengwu.beijing.gov.cn/ghxx/sewgh/t1176552.htm (Accessed April 6, 2013). (in Chinese)
  41. [41]  Lior, N. (2013), Sustainability ethics and metrics: Strategies for damage control and prevention, Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management, 1(1), 15-24.