Impact of electric power generation on green house gas emissions in Europe: Russia, Greece, Italy and views of the EU power plant supply industry – A critical analysis

• Published in: International journal of electrical power & energy systems Vol. 28; no. 8; pp. 548 - 564
• Main Author: Hammons, T.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Clean power generation technology; Electric power industry; Electric power plants; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Energy resources; European power plant supply industry; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel and energy complex; Greek energy balance; Greenhouse gas emissions; Italian greenhouse gas emission strategy; Kyoto protocol; Miscellaneous; Operation. Load control. Reliability; Power electronics, power supplies; Power networks and lines; Renewables; Greece; Italy; Russian Federation; Eurasia; Asia; Europe; Energy resources; Italian greenhouse gas emission strategy; Clean power generation technology; Fuel and energy complex; Greenhouse gas emissions; Kyoto protocol; Greek energy balance; Electric power industry; Renewables; European power plant supply industry; Electric power plant; Gas emission; Environmental policy; Power system economics; Power supply; Combustion; Implementation; Trade; Greenhouse gas; Fossil fuel; Power markets; Power electronics; Energy balance; Environment impact; Product development; Electric power production; Climate modification
• ISSN: 0142-0615; 1879-3517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2006.04.001

This paper analyses the impact of electric power generation on greenhouse gas emissions in Europe (including the Asian part of Russia) with reference to Russia, Greece, Italy, and views of the EU power plant supply industry in respect of the Kyoto protocol. The outlook of power industry development in Russia in the 21st century is first considered and its impact on Russia’s greenhouse gas emissions is examined. Forecasts for developing Russia’s economy and electric power industry in the first half of the 21st century are presented. Possible structural change in the electric power industry in Russia together with dynamic changes of CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion in power plants are examined. It is shown that CO 2 emissions from fuel combustion at power plants in Russia may increase 2.7-fold in 50 years. Calculations depict that specific CO 2 emissions in Asian Russia exceed greatly that of the European part. It then reviews measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Greece. Impact of the currently adopted measures and initiatives to reduce emissions in the Greek energy system for the period up to 2030 is discussed with emphasis on the current decade. Under the scenario for environmental policy, the additional commitments and measures to limit CO 2 emissions towards the Kyoto targets are discussed. The paper summarizes a possible Italian strategy for implementing Kyoto protocol mechanisms to meet commitments of the EU Emission Trading Draft Directive, the Italian strategy in the Ministerial documents, and final considerations. It then examines clean power generation technology for the 21st Century and gives a perspective from the EU power plant supply industry. A perspective is presented with respect to impact of global climate change on product development strategy. Fossil fuel based power generation technologies will continue to play an important part of the energy mix in the foreseeable future and different parts of the world will require different technologies to meet their local specific requirements. It will be necessary to continue to develop clean technologies and to promote their use world-wide.