6533b85dfe1ef96bd12be013
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Environmental assessment of 2030 electricity generation scenarios in Sicily: An integrated approach
Maurizio CelluraMaria Anna CusenzaSonia LongoFrancesco GuarinoMarina Mistrettasubject
Settore ING-IND/11 - Fisica Tecnica Ambientale060102 archaeologyRenewable Energy Sustainability and the Environmentbusiness.industry020209 energy06 humanities and the arts02 engineering and technologyEnvironmental economicsEnergy policyRenewable energyElectricity generationGreenhouse gas0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineeringEnvironmental science0601 history and archaeologyEnvironmental impact assessmentScenario analysisElectricitybusinessLife-cycle assessmentElectricity scenarios Energy policy Renewable energy sources Life cycle assessment Environmental sustainability Marginal electricity generation technologiesdescription
Abstract This paper deals with the environmental assessment of two electricity scenarios in Sicily, for 2030, characterized by a high exploitation of renewable energy sources in order to quantify the potential contribution of the local strategies in the achievement of the European climate policies and the potential improvement in the future electricity mix, compared to the current one (2014). In order to match these goals, authors integrate the Life Cycle Assessment with a scenario analysis. The future electricity mix scenarios, characterized by a share of renewables (57% for 2030-BS scenario and 51% for 2030-DS scenario) show a reduction of the greenhouse gases emissions per kWh of electricity generated, compared to the current one in which renewables account for 24%. Greenhouse gases emissions decrease by 39.9% in 2030-BS and by 32.9% in 2030-DS. However, the analysis highlights that the state of development of technologies does not allow improvements in a whole set of impacts categories. Particularly, freshwater ecotoxicity increases by around 30% and resources depletion by more than 100%. Results of this study can be used by local authorities as knowledge base in the definition and "ex-ante" evaluation of site-specific low-carbon energy strategies in Sicily.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-01 |