Life cycle assessment of energy consumption and CO2 emission for transmission system

This paper presents a detailed study process of life cycle energy consumption and CO₂ emission for transmission system. An assessment framework that consists of six stages is established, within which the energy consumption and CO₂ emission contributions from all life cycle chains are considered. A typical 500kV single-circuit AC transmission system in China is taken for instance to illustrate the assessment process of the transmission system over its lifetime. The total energy transmission and CO₂ emission reduction benefit of the transmission system is defined, calculated, and compared to the total energy consumption and corresponding CO₂ emission over its lifetime. The resulting energy payback ratio (EPR) and CO₂ emission reduction benefit can provide useful information for the cost-benefit comparison of different transmission technologies or planning schemes.