LCA Case Studies

Abstract

Request for single articles

125 KB  Full paper 65 downloads since September 2002

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/lca2002.06.086 --- The objective of this study is to estimate the specific
CO2 emissions related to the electricity consumption in the European
primary aluminium production and to compare different
choices of system boundaries of its electricity supply. The study
covers all European aluminium smelters, except Russia and the
Ukraine. The concepts of single power plant supply, contract mix,
national mix and European grid mix are compared as alternative
choices of system boundaries of the electricity supply. The calculations
of the electricity consumption in the electrolysis are based
on plant-specific information on technology, production and electricity
supply. Detailed fuel and country-specific data on CO2
emissions of the relevant types of electricity generation are used
with a ´´from cradle to grave´´ perspective. The specific emissions
calculated for Europe fall into the range of 6–7 kg CO2/kg Al
depending on the choice of system boundaries.