TY - JOUR
T1 - Life-cycle assessment of self-generated electricity in Nigeria and Jatropha biodiesel as an alternative power fuel
AU - Somorin, Tosin Onabanjo
AU - Di Lorenzo, Giuseppina
AU - Kolios, Athanasios J.
PY - 2017/12/31
Y1 - 2017/12/31
N2 - Insufficient available energy has limited the economic growth of Nigeria. The country suffers from frequent power outages, and inconvenient black–outs while residents and industries are forced to depend on self-generated electricity. Life-cycle assessment methodology was used to assess the environmental burdens associated with self-generated electricity (SGE) and proposed embedded power generation in Nigeria. The study shows that SGE from 5 kVA diesel generators contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 1625 kg CO2 eq./MWh, along with other environmental burdens. Based on a point estimate of diesel electric generators in Nigeria, SGE can contribute 389 million tonnes CO2 eq. to climate change every year. This can reposition Nigeria as one of the top 20 emitters of CO2 globally. A mandatory diesel fuel displacement with Jatropha biodiesel can reduce annual GHG emissions from SGE by 76% provided combined cycle power plants are adopted for embedded power generation. The magnitude of these benefits would depend on material inputs, seed yield as well as the environmental status of the reference fuel. Minimal use of fertilizers, chemicals and resources and fossil fuel substitution with renewable options can minimize adverse environmental burdens.
AB - Insufficient available energy has limited the economic growth of Nigeria. The country suffers from frequent power outages, and inconvenient black–outs while residents and industries are forced to depend on self-generated electricity. Life-cycle assessment methodology was used to assess the environmental burdens associated with self-generated electricity (SGE) and proposed embedded power generation in Nigeria. The study shows that SGE from 5 kVA diesel generators contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 1625 kg CO2 eq./MWh, along with other environmental burdens. Based on a point estimate of diesel electric generators in Nigeria, SGE can contribute 389 million tonnes CO2 eq. to climate change every year. This can reposition Nigeria as one of the top 20 emitters of CO2 globally. A mandatory diesel fuel displacement with Jatropha biodiesel can reduce annual GHG emissions from SGE by 76% provided combined cycle power plants are adopted for embedded power generation. The magnitude of these benefits would depend on material inputs, seed yield as well as the environmental status of the reference fuel. Minimal use of fertilizers, chemicals and resources and fossil fuel substitution with renewable options can minimize adverse environmental burdens.
KW - diesel engines
KW - environmental impact assessment
KW - gas turbines
KW - independent power generation
KW - Jatropha curcas
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021243238&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/renewable-energy
U2 - 10.1016/j.renene.2017.06.073
DO - 10.1016/j.renene.2017.06.073
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85021243238
SN - 0960-1481
VL - 113
SP - 966
EP - 979
JO - Renewable Energy
JF - Renewable Energy
ER -
