Prospective Assessment of the Carbon Footprint of a National Power Generation System

The global energy system is typically associated with severe environmental concerns, especially in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, the transition to a low-carbon economy requires clean energy solutions for both the electricity and the transport sector. This chapter focuses on the prospective assessment of the carbon footprint of a national power generation system by combining life-cycle assessment (LCA) and energy systems modelling (ESM). Long-term energy planning is facilitated by considering not only a business-as-usual scenario, but also a number of alternative energy scenarios oriented towards (i) the extended operation of non-renewable power generation technologies, (ii) the implementation of novel energy policies on CO₂ capture, energy security and externalities, and (iii) cross-sectoral issues such as the deployment of electric vehicles. Through the case study of the Spanish power generation sector, the convenience of promoting the evolution to highly renewable electricity production mixes is shown.