Electricity generation technologies: Comparison of materials use, energy return on investment, jobs creation and CO2 emissions reduction

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 120; pp. 144 - 157
• Main Authors: Kis, Zoltán, Pandya, Nikul, Koppelaar, Rembrandt H.E.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Electricity generation greenhouse gas emissions; Electricity generation jobs; Electricity generation supply chain; Electricity technology comparison; Net electricity; Electricity generation jobs; Electricity technology comparison; Net electricity; Electricity generation supply chain; Electricity generation greenhouse gas emissions
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.033

Shifting to a low-carbon electricity future requires up-to-date information on the energetic, environmental and socio-economic performance of technologies. Here, we present a novel comprehensive bottom-up process chain framework that is applied to 19 electricity generation technologies, consistently incorporating 12 life-cycle phases from extraction to decommissioning. For each life-cycle phase of each technology the following 4 key metrics were assessed: material consumption, energy return ratios, job requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. We also calculate a novel global electricity to grid average for these metrics and present a metric variability analysis by altering transport distance, load factors, efficiency, and fuel density per technology. This work quantitatively supports model-to-policy frameworks that drive technology selection and investment based on energetic-economic viability, job creation and carbon emission reduction of technologies. The results suggest energetic-economic infeasibility of electricity generation networks with substantial shares of: i) liquefied natural gas transport, ii) long distance transport based hard and brown coal and pipeline natural gas, and iii) low-load factor solar-photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, onshore and offshore wind. Direct sector jobs can be expected to double in renewable-majority scenarios. All combustion-powered technologies without natural (biomass) or artificial carbon capture (fossil fuels) are not compatible with a low carbon electricity generation future. •New life-cycle method implemented to compare 19 electricity generation technologies.•Long distance fuel transport significantly reduces energetic-economic viability.•Low load factors for solar and wind sharply reduces energetic-economic viability.•Electricity sector jobs for generation will double in renewable-majority futures.•Natural gas without carbon capture is not a suitable bridge for a low-carbon future.