In-depth analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from electric transmission and distribution systems

Abstract:

Electricity generation is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas and air pollution emissions. Without systematic views of the electricity system the environmental impacts of the electricity sector could worsen due to the trend for increased electrification of different sectors (i.e. transportation and heating). The unintended consequences of failing to build efficient transmission and distribution (T&D) systems include higher greenhouse gas emissions, added costs due to oversizing of generation fleet, and a host of environmental impacts. Mismanagement, pilferage, and improper maintenance also contribute to increased losses on the T&D system. Previous mitigation strategies have primarily focused on reducing emissions generated at the power plant level, rather than looking at the impact of emissions from inefficiencies in the delivery of electricity. Here we quantify the overall sustainability losses of inefficiencies on the power grid. In our work we combine power generation life cycle assessments with uncertainty analysis to put a bound on the potential air pollution emissions from compensatory generation associated with technical and non-technical T&D losses. In this paper, we estimate the compensatory air pollutants associated with T&D losses under a fixed electricity generation profile in 142 countries. We quantify SO2, NOx, and PM2.5 emissions in addition to greenhouse gas emissions that result from grid inefficiencies, quantifying the co-benefits of mitigating these emissions. Second, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the USA and India to illuminate the environmental trade-offs in established and expanding power systems. Our work comes at a time when countries must deploy existing technologies (i.e. solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear) at a rapid pace to keep up with industrialization and growing demand in developing countries. By decreasing T&D losses countries will be able to reduce compensatory emissions, lessen expenditures and capital investment in generation facilities, and ensure that more electricity from low-carbon generation facilities will reach the intended consumers.