Rolling coal: The greenhouse gas emissions of coal rail transport for electricity generation

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

卷:259

Article

Sherwood, John¹  Bickhart, Robert, Jr.¹  Murawski, Emily¹  Dhanani, Zemin²  Lytle, Blake²  Carbajales-Dale, Patricia²  Carbajales-Dale, Michael¹ 

[1] Clemson Univ, Dept Environm Engn & Earth Sci, Clemson, SC 29634 USA

[2] Clemson Univ, Clemson Ctr Geospatial Technol, Clemson, SC USA

关键词: Coal;    Coal transportation;    GIS;    Emissions;    Energy infrastructure;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120770

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

This study analyzes datasets from the Energy Information Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey to build a detailed picture of the CO2-eq emissions generated by coal rail transportation over the past decade. We use a GIS-based network analysis to illustrate how coal transportation routes and shipments have changed since 2008. Coal basins are characterized by type and emission intensities, and the scale of transportation emissions are compared to power plant operational emissions. The results show that rail transportation distances range from 0 km to over 3500 km. Transportation emissions can be as high as 35% of a power plant's operational emissions - a number significantly higher than previous literature estimates. Additionally, implementation of post-combustion Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) at existing plants may further increase transportation emissions. We conclude by recommending using at least regionalized distance factors rather than US-wide averages to more accurately account for transportation emissions within life cycle assessments and carbon footprints of coal power. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free